Workshop on risk assessment of nanomaterials and materials containing small/nanoparticles in the food and feed chain
In August 2021, the EFSA Scientific Committee published two guidance documents:
These documents aim to assess the health risks of nanomaterials and small/nano particles in the food and feed chain. Since publication, EFSA has worked to support their smooth and harmonised implementation across all relevant areas of its remit. Through stakeholder consultations and case evaluations, recurring issues have been identified. Additional clarifications have been published, but further action is needed to improve the guidance for both applicants and risk assessors. As a result, EFSA has initiated a new self-task mandate to develop an updated guidance document for the risk assessment of nanomaterials and materials containing small/nano particles in the food and feed chain (M-2024-00062)[1]. A series of engagement activities are being planned to enhance international cooperation and facilitate stakeholder interaction. A stepwise approach is being implemented to ensure constructive dialogue and harmonisation of scientific requirements. This process began with an initial consultation to gather input on the mandate objectives and Terms of Reference. This has fed the development of a scoping paper, which outlines the proposed strategy for the guidance update, including a draft structure for the new merged guidance and key content issues to be addressed in the revised document[2]. The scoping paper is currently published for public consultation and is open for discussion in this dedicated workshop. The aim of this event is to gather inputs on the proposed approach for guidance update and discuss with stakeholders and other regulatory agencies on fundamental scientific aspects.
This workshop will present the proposed strategy for updating the EFSA Nano Guidance documents, aiming to merge them into a single guidance on risk assessment for nanomaterials and small/nanoparticles in the food and feed chain.
The event will provide an open platform for discussing key issues, approaches to addressing them, and ensuring the guidance reflects the latest scientific knowledge. Stakeholders will be encouraged to share experiences and engage with regulators, helping shape the updated guidance.
The workshop will begin with a comprehensive introduction, providing background and context for the discussions ahead. The first part will offer an overview of nanomaterials and small/nanoparticles risk assessment in the food and feed chain, including plans for updating the guidance. Following this, there will be presentations on relevant guidance documents, frameworks, and activities from other EU agencies and international bodies. These sessions will lay the groundwork for discussions on transdisciplinary experiences, challenges, and possible way forward, with input from applicants, including industry, consultancies, laboratories, and risk assessors. This part of the workshop will be interactive, focusing on key scientific aspects for the guidance update.
The workshop is open to all stakeholders with expertise in nanotechnologies and the risk assessment of nanomaterials and/or small/nano particles in the food and feed chain. This includes applicants and risk assessors. Participation is limited to 80 attendees, including speakers and experts already identified by EFSA. Further selection will ensure a balanced representation across various fields of expertise, stakeholder groups, and geographical regions.
The event will be held in Brussels, Belgium on 11 June 2025 from 09:00 to 18:00 CEST and on 12 June 2025 from 09:00 to 16:00 CEST. Further details will be communicated to selected participants. The event will be conducted in English, and no translation services will be provided.
There is no fee for participation, however participants are required to cover expenses related to travel and accommodation.
however, participants will not have the possibility to interact during the meeting, either orally or in writing.
The registration form can be found at:
After closure of registration, potential participants will be informed whether they have been selected for participation.
Do not hesitate to contact the organising committee at events [at] efsa.europa.eu for more information.
