CIEL welcomes and supports African resolution on nanomaterials

Fifty-three African governments meeting in Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire on 28th January unanimously adopted an ambitious resolution on nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials. CIEL played a leading role in assisting government delegates in the development and drafting of the resolution. Delegates adopted the resolution while meeting at the African regional meeting on the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM).

The adopted resolution calls for a ban on the shipment of wastes containing nanomaterials to countries that lack the capacity to manage them adequately, and for the establishment and implementation of legal provisions to ensure the safe production, use, transport and disposal of nanomaterials. The resolution further calls for bio-monitoring of people, especially workers, who may be exposed to nanomaterials, and for the establishment of partnerships to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition to build scientific, technical, legal, and regulatory policy expertise related to the risks of manufactured nanomaterials.

Anticipating the third session of the International Conference on Chemical Management in 2012, which will review a report focusing on nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials, African delegates recommended that the report should be drafted by a multi-stakeholder working group with representation from all UN regions, and further recommended that the report should address, among other things:

• The critical role of the precautionary approach in addressing nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials throughout their life cycle;

• Implementation of the "no data, no market" principle prior to commercialization of nanotechnology applications;

• The need for producers to provide appropriate information about the content of manufactured nanomaterials to inform consumers about potential risks;

• The ethical and social risks and benefits of nanomaterials, especially in developing countries and countries with economies in transition;

• Elements of regulatory frameworks needed to achieve safe management of manufactured nanomaterials; and

• Involvement of the health sector in decision and policy-making on nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials.

Additional information on this series of workshops as well as presentations and documents can be found here or by contacting David Azoulay.