CEN/TC 352/WG3/PG3 - Protocols for determining the explosivity and flammability of powders containing nano-objects (for transport, handling and storage)
Résumé
In order to promote sustainable development of nanotechnologies, standardisation has to be considered as a pillar for success. Indeed, the current lack of standardisation allowed tensions to increase between the various stakeholders (researchers, industry, public authorities and consumers) as it entails the jeopardization of both commercial and regulatory perspectives. Thus, when considering standardization, safety appears very quickly as an outstanding and essential requirement. New powders containing nano-objects imply new risks that have to be evaluated and managed to enable their sustainable and efficient development. This growing-fast technology and the recent results published in the literature put into evidence that a major effort is now required to assess the safety parameters of powders containing nano-objects, especially their propensity to burn, explode and disperse in case of a loss of containment, in order to manage industrial risks. The explosivity and flammability properties have to be given in the safety data sheet for a safe storage, handling and transport of any powder and are key safety parameters to ensure proper industrial safety management. In this perspective, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) set up the Technical Committee 352 (CEN/TC 352) in 2006 to develop and maintain up to date standards in the field of nanotechnologies. Part of the work group (WG 3) dedicated to Health, Safety and Environment, the CEN/TC 352/WG3/PG3 led by INERIS was constituted to develop a Technical Specification (TS) for the determination of explosivity and flammability properties of manufactured nano-objects in powder form.