FICHE D’INFORMATION SUR LA DÉFINITION DES NANOMATÉRIAUX

The document emphasizes that a precise legal definition of nanomaterials is a prerequisite for effective regulation, as voluntary safety measures have failed. It warns that definitions that are too restrictive allow hazardous materials to bypass safety checks, while overly broad definitions include materials that do not require nano-specific oversight. The author notes that creating such a definition is challenging due to the rapid evolution of scientific understanding and imaging technologies.

• Nanotechnology offers potential technical and economic benefits across various sectors, including energy production and storage, but poses risks to human health and the environment.
• Mandatory legal requirements for risk assessment and management are necessary because voluntary options for nanomaterial safety have repeatedly failed.
• A precise legal definition is essential for regulation; a definition that is too restrictive allows materials to enter the market without proper assessment, while one that is too broad captures materials that do not need nano-specific procedures.
• Developing a science-based legal definition is difficult because scientific knowledge and the technologies used for measurement and imaging are evolving quickly.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2014). FICHE D’INFORMATION SUR LA DÉFINITION DES NANOMATÉRIAUX. https://www.ciel.org/reports/nanomaterials-definition-fact-sheet-nov-2014/

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. FICHE D’INFORMATION SUR LA DÉFINITION DES NANOMATÉRIAUX. 2014. https://www.ciel.org/reports/nanomaterials-definition-fact-sheet-nov-2014/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=FICHE D’INFORMATION SUR LA DÉFINITION DES NANOMATÉRIAUX |date=1 November 2014 |url=https://www.ciel.org/reports/nanomaterials-definition-fact-sheet-nov-2014/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2014fiche, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{FICHE D’INFORMATION SUR LA DÉFINITION DES NANOMATÉRIAUX}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2014}, month = nov, url = {https://www.ciel.org/reports/nanomaterials-definition-fact-sheet-nov-2014/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }