Standards New Zealand participates on New Zealand's 'Nanotechnology Regulatory Subgroup', to ensure developments by the International Organization for Standardization, and nanotech impacts, are communicated to New Zealand stakeholders.

A new Technical Report on Nanotechnologies – Health and safety practices in occupational settings relevant to nanotechnologies, ISO/TR 12885:2008, provides advice to prevent adverse health and safety consequences during the production, handling, use, and disposal of manufactured nanomaterials.

The field of nanotechnologies is advancing rapidly and is expected to impact on virtually every facet of global industry and society. The introduction of new engineered nanomaterials into the workplace raises questions about occupational safety and health. While international Standards are being developed to address these questions, ISO/TR 12885 provides users with useful knowledge on occupational safety and health practices in the context of nanotechnologies.

ISO/TR 12885 focuses on the manufacture and use of engineered nanomaterials.  It is based on current information about nanotechnologies, including characterisation, health effects, exposure assessments, and control practices.

Also see article in Touchstone, issue 1: Nanotechnology terms clearly defined in new ISO Standard.