New ISO Technical Report Guides Characterization of Nanomaterials in Toxicology U.S. Leadership Supports Development of Newly Released International Guidelines New York May 29, 2012

ISO TR 13014:2012 was prepared by ISO TC 229, Nanotechnologies, Working Group (WG) 3, Health, Safety and Environment, under the project leadership of Dr. Richard Pleus of the United States. This group is U.S.-led, operating under the leadership of Dr. Laurie Locascio of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Dr. Vladimir Murashov of the National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) serves as the WG 3 chair for the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to ISO TC 229, which is accredited and administered by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

By understanding the chemical and physical characteristics of nano-objects, we are working to decrease toxicity of materials and promote the development of safer alternatives, said Dr. Pleus. The work done in this document has a fundamental importance in toxicology, as it tells scientists the material being tested needs to be understood: What does it look like? What is it made of? How does it interact with the surrounding environment?

Nanotechnology, which refers to the manipulation and control of matter in the nanoscale (approximately 1 to 100 nm), is revolutionizing virtually all industry sectors, from information technology to medicine to clean energy production. The ANSI-administered U.S. TAG to ISO TC 229 is responsible for formulating all U.S. positions and proposals with regard to ISO standardization in the field of nanotechnology.

The U.S. has been an active participant and effective leader within ISO TC 229 since the formation of the committee in 2005, playing a key role in influencing the strategic and technical direction of the committees standardization initiatives, said Fran Schrotter, senior vice president and chief operating officer at ANSI.

Participation on the U.S. TAG to ISO TC 229 is open to all materially affected U.S. national interested parties. For more information, visit http://www.ansi.org/isotc229tag or contact the TAG administrator, Heather Benko (hbenko@ansi.org).

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New ISO Technical Report Guides Characterization of Nanomaterials in Toxicology