A workshop on nanomaterials was held on 23-24 October 2014 at ECHA (Euoropean Chemicals Agency). The workshop brought together close to 200 experts in the field of risk assessment of nanomaterials representing academia, policy makers, industry and NGOs.

The workshop provided a unique platform for academia and regulators to discuss how to address current challenges from the regulatory perspective which can be reflected and employed in the ongoing and future research topics on nanomaterials. The discussions were reinforced by information of the recent developments and of risk assessment methodologies applied in chemicals management both within and outside the European Union. 

The workshop illustrated well the strategic objectives of ECHA (Euoropean Chemicals Agency), to serve as a hub for building scientific and regulatory capacity in the area of regulatory challenges. The anticipated outcome of the workshop was early emergence of new and/or improved approaches in the context of risk assessment of nanomaterials. The outcome of the workshop clearly matched the expectations and its output will form a cornerstone in the guidance developments for the implementation of the REACH, CLP and Biocidal Products Regulations. The proceedings of the workshop are foreseen to be published in the first quarter of 2015.