APVMA published “regulation consideration for nanopesticides” report

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has published the report “Nanotechnologies for pesticides and veterinary medicines: regulatory considerations—final report” which marks culmination of four years of APVMA-led research, consultation and collaboration.
 

The report considers the benefits and challenges of regulating nanotechnology for use in agriculture and animal husbandry, as advances in nanoscale science, engineering and technology pave the way for developing novel applications, devices and systems.

 

The report aims to inform and stimulate discussion about emerging nanotechnology and highlights the key regulatory considerations for agvet chemical nanomaterials based on the current state of knowledge. It systematically explores the opportunities and risks of these substances in Australian agriculture and animal husbandry and reviews the published work relevant to the registration of nanoscale agvet chemicals. It is not the   report’s purpose to provide formal guidelines since the field is advancing so rapidly they would likely be obsolete soon after their publication. Nor is the purpose of this report to describe a regulatory framework for agvet nanomaterials. The general consensus is that, for the foreseeable future, existing regulatory frameworks developed for macroscale chemicals will be used to regulate nanomaterials. Over time, however, the framework   will evolve as new information highlighting limitations in the current risk assessment paradigm becomes available.

 

Next, the APVMA will now use the report to finalise the regulatory approach for nanotechnology products, including: building capability and expertise so new products can be evaluated effectively; analysing the data requirements; enhancing the existing regulatory framework if required as knowledge evolves; continuing to engage with the international scientific community so that the latest research is being considered.