The regulation of nanopesticides is challenging for several reasons, not the least of which is the absence of an international definition for nanopesticides and an inadequate understanding of the properties and behaviours of nanomaterials that would allow for a tailored risk assessment framework to be developed. While the risk assessment paradigm for conventional chemicals guides the approach to assessing the safety of nanomaterials, significant gaps in our understanding of the interaction of nanomaterials with living organisms and the environment limit the approach. As a result, a case-by-case approach to the risk assessment of nanomaterials is currently practised. This approach is expected to change as research fills information gaps and allows a rational regulatory framework for nanomaterials to be developed. Recently, the data requirements for nanopesticides were advanced with the development of guiding principles for the ecological risk assessment of these products. The latter will be discussed.

Regulation of nanopesticides

248th National Meeting (2014)

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