The U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative has updated its Environmental Health and Safety strategy to address ongoing challenges and emerging nanotechnology applications. The strategy emphasises responsible innovation and highlights the need for collaborative actions to address concerns related to the impact of engineered nanomaterials on human health and the environment. In contrast, European policy currently lacks strategies dedicated to nanotechnologies or nanomaterials, although advanced materials are regarded as an opportunity for industrial leadership. For both nanomaterials and advanced materials, fostering collaboration on a global scale would add to address uncertainties about safety more effectively and efficiently.

US NNI updates Environmental Health and Safety Strategy

In December 2024, the US National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) updated its 2011 Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) strategy. The update recognises ongoing challenges, such as translating research on pristine nanoparticle studies to real-world situations and chronic exposure levels. The strategy focuses on identifying and modelling scenarios for emerging applications like electronics, agriculture, and biomedicine. The update also highlights the importance of using the existing nanotechnology environmental, health, and safety (nanoEHS) infrastructure. While built around engineered nanomaterials it could help to understand emerging concerns like nanoplastics.

EHS strategy update prioritises responsible innovation

As the nanotechnology landscape evolves and diversifies, it is important to foster responsible development within the research community. This can be done through educational programmes focusing on ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI), responsible research practices, environmental sustainability, green engineering, and safe-by-design approaches. Engineered nanomaterials and nanotechnology have the potential to solve pressing global challenges. To fully harness this potential while protecting human and environmental health, it is essential to address existing and emerging needs in nanoEHS through coordinated, collaborative action.

Key actions in the EHS strategy update

The updated EHS strategy lists several key actions to achieve its goals:

• Addressing remaining EHS knowledge gaps related to engineered nanomaterials in commerce.
• Monitoring and evaluating emerging nanotechnology applications.
• Investigating emerging nanoscale contaminants of concern.
• Strengthening the collaborative informatics infrastructure.
• Increasing engagement with the international nanosafety community.
• Enhancing public involvement in the responsible development of nanotechnology.

Reflections by RIVM

Nanotechnology continues to be a significant area of interest for U.S. government policy. The EHS strategy update on nanotechnology was endorsed by the Oval Office (N.B. the Biden administration) and 28 national institutes. The update fosters collaborations, enhances capabilities, and stimulates discoveries that address ELSI while paving the way for advancements in the field over the coming decades.

In Europe, there are currently no specific strategies dedicated to nanotechnology or nanomaterials. The term “nanomaterials” is scarcely present in EU policy documents, where new types of nanomaterials may be categorised under advanced materials. At the same time, advanced materials are regarded as critical in the present EU policy for industrial leadership.

However, many of the challenges, previously identified knowledge gaps for nanomaterials in the EU have not yet been fully addressed. Therefore, a collaborative approach with the U.S. and other regions worldwide is essential. Nanomaterials already have many applications, and their market penetration is substantial.

For nanomaterials and advanced materials, exploring the feasibility of revitalising the US-EU Communities of Research would be worthwhile. These communities could play a role in addressing common goals in the European and American research agendas regarding safety and sustainability of nanomaterials and advanced materials. In this way it could be prevented that different insights in safety issues become trade barriers.