The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has recently determined that hydroxyapatite (HAP) in nanoform is safe for use in oral care products, with concentrations up to 29.5% in toothpaste and 10% in mouthwash. New safety showed that HAP nano does not cause genetic mutations, cytotoxicity, or inflammation, and is not significantly taken up by cells. The safety assessment applies only to specific types of HAP nano particles that meet certain criteria, such as rod-shaped particles with specific length-to-width ratios and no surface modifications. The case demonstrates that high-quality in vitro safety data can increase the possibilities of safely marketing nanomaterials.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently evaluated silver as a food additive (E 174) and concluded that it cannot confirm its safety. This uncertainty arises from significant gaps in scientific data, particularly regarding the physicochemical properties and potential toxicity of silver particles at the nanoscale. The EC will consider EFSA's opinion when shaping its policy on the use of E 174 as a food additive.

Recent advancements in food packaging that use nanotechnology have the potential to improve food quality and safety by extending freshness, repairing damaged packaging, and informing consumers about spoilage. These innovations also offer sustainability benefits by reducing food waste and providing more environmentally friendly packaging options. However, it is crucial to ensure the safety of nanomaterials in food packaging for human health. A “safe-and-sustainable-by-design” approach can help balance innovation, sustainability, recyclability, and safety in packaging development.

Researchers tested the Prevention through Design (PtD) approach by examining the transition from laboratory-scale to pilot-scale production of Few-Layer Graphene (FLG). Based on PtD principles, they recommended reducing worker exposure to FLG during pilot-scale production through measures like using closed systems, local exhaust ventilation, and semi-automatic storage systems. The use of PtD in this study provides valuable insights on safety measures during scale up of nanomaterial production in similar settings.

Researchers have proposed an approach to create metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that are designed to be safe and sustainable. The approach categorises the transformations that these materials undergo, helping to prevent the formation of harmful transformation products. MOFs are composed of metal clusters linked to organic compounds, resulting in porous structures that are useful in various applications, including catalysis, energy storage, water treatment, and sensors. By adopting a safe and sustainable approach in their design, the full potential of MOFs can be realised.

Two recent studies have proposed new methods to detect the presence of nanoparticles in food and cosmetics. The first study suggests a two-step approach to detect the banned food additive E 171. This involves screening for elemental titanium, followed by detecting nano-sized titanium dioxide. The second study used a quick screening tool to identify the presence of seven different nanoparticles in facial cosmetics. However, both methods have only been partially validated, and further improvements are required. There is a lack of reliable data on background titanium concentrations in food. A lack of reference matrices with known amounts of nanoparticles in consumer products is another challenge that needs to be addressed.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications is quickly increasing and has the potential to revolutionize chemical risk assessment. For predicting the toxicity of nanomaterials, current models only work for relatively simple nanomaterials. There is a need to anticipate current developments and strategies to prepare for future AI implementation in chemical regulation.

Researchers from the EU Graphene Flagship have highlighted the complexity of assessing the safety of graphene and related materials. Such assessment requires detailed knowledge of safety-related physicochemical properties and the development of harmonised test methods. These lessons must receive ample attention in future innovation programmes on new materials.

By 2023, two European research projects related to the Malta Initiative were completed: Gov4Nano and NanoHarmony. These projects provided scientific support to thirteen OECD projects aimed at developing or modifying OECD Test Guidelines or Guidance Documents. However, more work is needed to finalise the OECD documents. The Malta Initiative has also identified further needs for harmonised test methods for future (advanced) materials and animal-free safety testing. The NanoHarmony White Paper guides on how to continue developing these test methods. However, it is uncertain how to identify and address future needs in the absence of resources for funding.

The safety of fullerenes in cosmetic products is uncertain, according to the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). The information provided by the Notifier on the possible genotoxicity of fullerenes and other concerns was insufficient. The European Commission has recently proposed a new rule requiring the industry to provide additional data in the short term. If the industry fails to do so, fullerenes will be banned for use in cosmetic products, like other nanomaterials.