The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)'s Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) backed three approvals, and one non-approval, of active substance/product-type combinations, at its October meeting. They include the Committee's first opinion on a nanomaterial. The BPC supported the approval of pyrogenic, synthetic amorphous silicon dioxide for use in insecticides, acaricides and products to control other arthropods (product-type 18).

The BPC's opinion relied on another nanoform – synthetic amorphous silicon dioxide - already approved under the Biocidal Products Directive (BPD), according to Committee Chair, Erik van de Plassche. He says to compile the opinion the BPC's main task was to find the reference structural characteristics that distinguish one nanoform from another. The next time the BPC has a nanomaterial on the agenda it will probably rely on the expected changes to the REACH Regulation's guidance and information provision annexes. These will take account of nanoforms.

• Read the complete press release (27.10.2016, safenano.org) online via http://www.safenano.org/news/news-articles/echa-biocidal-products-committee-backs-first-nanomaterial-approval/