Ecosystème – Nanomesurefrance

NanoMesureFrance is positioned at the interface of all the key players and initiatives concerned by the issues of harmonization and

validation of characterization methods for nanomaterials.

This privileged position gives our members a better understanding of this complex and fragmented ecosystem, as well as facilitating access to

strategic stakeholders in the field.

VAMAS

The Versailles Program on Advanced Materials and Standards

The Program is an international pre-standardization initiative, which today brings together 16 countries on its Steering Committee (Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Taiwan, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, UK, USA, European Commission). Its main objective is to provide the technical basis for harmonizing measurement methods for advanced materials and nanomaterials. Various Working Groups (TWA = Technical Working Areas) each host several projects and regularly organize inter-laboratory comparisons to validate characterization/measurement methods and produce repeatability/reproducibility data for future standards. ISOIEC or national standards in the field. Any laboratory can take part to gain access to current best practices and assess its mastery of a measurement technique or procedure. National metrology institutes are often the representatives of member countries on the Steering Committee (i.e. for France, LNE plays this role), but other players (academic or industrial) can also occupy one of the three seats offered to each member state.

The following TWAs may be of interest to NanoMesureFrance members

TWA 2 Surface Chemical Analysis
TWA 33 Polymer Nanocomposites
TWA 34 Nanoparticle Populations
TWA 41 Graphene and Related 2D Materials
TWA 42 Raman Spectroscopy and Microscopy
TWA 45 Materials and Environment (micro-nanoplastics)

Website : www.vamas.org

Standards committees

AFNOR/X457 Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials

The National Commission AFNOR/X457 hosts French standardization work in the field of nanotechnology. Specific tasks include the development of standards concerning (i) terminology and nomenclature, (ii) metrology, instrumentation & testing methodologies, as well as (iii) health, safety and environmental practices (including life cycle). CN X457 is the mirror image of the technical committees CEN/TC 352 Nanotechnologies", ISO/TC 229 "Nanotechnologies" and ISO/TC 24/SC4 "Particle characterization".

CEN/TC 352 Nanotechnologies

Technical Committee 352 of CEN hosts European standardization work in the field of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies. Three working groups are active: Measurement, Characterization and Performance Evaluation (WG1), Health, Safety and Environmental Aspects (WG3) and Manufactured Nano-objects in Food Additives (WG4). CN membership is required. AFNOR/X457 to take part in the work of this European group.

ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnologies

ISO Technical Committee 229 hosts international standardization work in the field of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies. Five working groups are active, developing international standards on Terminology and nomenclature (JWG1), Measurement and characterization (JWG2), Health, safety and environmental aspects of nanotechnologies (WG3), Material properties (WG4) and Products and applications (WG5). Membership of the NC is required. AFNOR/X457 to take part in the work of this international group.

ISO/TC 24/SC4 Particle characterization

Subcommittee 4 of Technical Committee 24 is led by the UK. It is concerned with the characterization of particles in the broadest sense and with the methods used (recommendations for sampling, sample preparation, interpretation of results and determination of uncertainty). Particles can be grains, flakes, fibers, droplets, bubbles or pores from the nanometer to the millimeter scale. Properties of particular interest are particle size distribution, shape and morphology, weight, density, specific surface area or porosity, and mobility.

ISO/TC 201 Chemical analysis of surfaces

Technical Committee 201 is led by Japan. It is concerned with standardization in the field of surface chemical analysis. Surface chemical analysis includes analysis techniques where beams of electrons, ions, neutral atoms or molecules, or photons are incident on the sample material and scattered or emitted electrons, ions, neutral atoms or molecules, or photons, are detected. It also includes techniques involving the scanning of surfaces using probes and the detection of signals linked to these surfaces, excluding scanning electron microscopy, which is within the scope of work of theISO/TC 202 Microbeam analysis.

ASTM/E56 Nanotechnologies

ASTM Committee E56 was created in 2005 and brings together around 25 members through six technical subcommittees: (i) IT and terminology, (ii)
Physical and chemical characterization, (iii) Environment, health and safety, (iv) Nanotechnology-based consumer products, (v) Education and skills development & (vi) Nanotechnology-based medical products. Unlike ISO, it is possible to participate in the work of the ASTM E56 Nanotechnologies directly as an expert, without having to represent its National Delegation and therefore be a member of AFNOR/X457.

The OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) was set up in 2006 to promote international cooperation in the fields of human health and environmental safety of manufactured nanomaterials.

Its aim is to help countries assess the safety implications of nanomaterials by focusing on the development of appropriate harmonized methods and strategies to produce data that are enforceable within a regulatory framework and recognized in all member countries through Mutual Acceptance of Data (MAD). The main actions involved in producing OECD Guides and Guidelines are consensus-building on test approaches to be proposed and validated by inter-laboratory comparisons.

The various National Delegations meet once a year at OECD headquarters in Paris.

Any interested player can join its National Delegation.

Website

Malta Initiative

The Malta Initiative is a European network with no official mandate, supported by a wide range of stakeholders (ministries, government agencies, public laboratories, industry), to build confidence in enforceable legislation and safe innovation for nanomaterials and advanced materials. the development of harmonized test methods at European level.OECD .

This initiative welcomes constructive dialogue between the various stakeholders to identify priorities for support, and calls on the European Commission to provide sustainable funding specifically for the validation and harmonization of these methods, as well as for the establishment of a platform for exchange between industry, laboratories and authorities.

In France, the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion and the LNE are signatories to the Position Paper. All countries and organizations wishing to support the Malta Initiative are welcome.

Website

Malta initiative flyer

Position Paper

EU NanoSafety Cluster

The NanoSafety Cluster (NSC) works to maximize synergies between European research projects dealing with the safety of materials and technologies whose performance is enhanced by the introduction of nanomaterials. Themes of interest include toxicology, eco-toxicology, exposure assessment, interaction mechanisms, risk assessment, characterization and standardization.

The network is an initiative of the European Commission's Directorate General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), which funds these major projects, to support Europe's drive to promote safe, sustainable innovation based on nanomaterials and advanced materials. The NSC is also an open platform for dialogue and exchange. Researchers, regulators, representatives of industry and civil society interested in HSE issues and nanotechnologies are welcome to participate in the Cluster's activities, whether or not they are partners in European projects. Every month, the NSC publishes a newsletter that is widely distributed throughout Europe, and which can be used to relay various types of information (events, news, etc.).

Website

EMN Advanced Manufacturing

Since 2018, the European Association of National Metrology Laboratories (EURAMET) has set up various metrology networks (EMN European Metrology Network) on strategic European themes. These EMNs aim to bring together stakeholders, facilitate access to the unique expertise and resources available within national metrology institutes, and identify development needs and priorities in the metrology field for in fine guide research funding.

EMN Advanced Manufacturingcoordinated by the German metrology institute PTB, is organized around three pillars, one of which is dedicated to advanced materials and nanomaterials. A Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) is fed by exchanges with stakeholders. The recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between VAMAS and EURAMET aims to strengthen the links between the two entities and reflects the desire to make EMN Advanced Manufacturing relaying VAMAS at European level, to step up European efforts to pre-standardize characterization methods for advanced materials and nanomaterials.

Website