Promoting safe innovation through global consolidation and networking of nanosafety centres and strengthening the European industry through cooperation in nanosafety

The objective of this topic is to support safe innovation related aspects by providing the technology, skills, and processes, necessary for science-based best NanoSafety practices in industrial and commercial activities.

This objective is being addressed by nano-risk excellence centres currently being established in several EU member states and globally. A wide variety of national and (EU) regional platforms and centres can be observed which are dedicated to research, market follow-up, dissemination of nanosafety. There is the need to consolidate and further develop these first initiatives so as to make available to industry and other stakeholders concerned a European-wide, up-to-date, science-based, organisational structure capable of managing risks and supporting safe innovation. It should also ensure providing scientific support to more general questions on product quality, technical approvals, counterfeiting, training and certification system for nanosafety at work and providing reliable information for the public.

The proposed CSA should aim at networking these platforms, including the nanosafety cluster, at European level and cooperate with third countries. The foundation and basis for the development of the European nano-network will be based on the interaction and adequate communication to generate a step-change in the risk management process. It may include work and resources specific to the participants or other public and private sources. The CSA can be used to pool resources and organise calls for market oriented activities which are of common interest for the platforms.

To ensure fast transfer of knowledge from basic research to market implementation, the proposed CSA should strengthen and support the Nanosafety Cluster activities, in particular those aiming at communication and outreach.

In line with the objectives of the Union's strategy for international cooperation in research and innovation (COM(2012) 497), international cooperation according to the current rules of participation is encouraged, in particular with Brazil, South Korea and the United States of America. The quality of the international cooperation will be reflected in the evaluation of the proposal, under the criteria 'Excellence' and 'Impact'.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU between EUR 1 and 2 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

No more than one action will be funded.

The rapid expansion of nanotechnology has brought the question of the safety of the emerging applications and the risk management measures. Considerable effort has been put by FP6 and FP7 projects for answering basis scientific and technical questions and will continue under H2020. There is a need to support regulatory aspects by providing the technology, skills and conventions necessary for implementation of existing rules and consistent development of new ones. This supposes developing the capacity to routinely assess and reduce risks in regulatory terms, both for toxicity and exposure, and the capacity to develop and implement safe-by-design processes and products with the aim of keeping risk level below pre-defined values.

• An independent science based EU nanosafety reference platform for all stakeholders in nanotechnology that collates information into a comprehensive and accessible European network portal and providing a solution to the problem of data accessibility and transferability, by removing barriers which currently limit knowledge distribution;
• The CSA should mark progress for Guidance to market actors (industry, safety service providers, and public authorities), best practice, standards, technical approvals, environment protection, and operational certification systems;
• The platforms network should prepare a European Hub to provide services and support for stakeholders (e.g. industry, governments, researchers etc.) to create in a sustainable way marketable, societal approved products and goods;
• Involvement of highly renowned actors in the research field and from leading stakeholders from regulatory bodies, standardization bodies, into a seedless dialogue;
• Significant research outputs efficiently disseminated to national and international communities.