Overview
ISO/TS 12901-1:2024 - Nanotechnologies: Occupational risk management applied to engineered nanomaterials (Part 1: Principles and approaches) provides practical guidance for managing occupational health and safety risks from engineered or manufactured nanomaterials during their life cycle. This second edition updates the 2012 Technical Specification and targets competent personnel responsible for safe operation in production, handling, processing and disposal of nanomaterials.
Key topics and technical requirements
The document covers foundational principles and practical steps for risk management, including:
- Definitions and nanomaterial types - fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphene, nanowires, quantum dots, metals/metal oxides, carbon black, organic nanoparticles, dendrimers, nanoclays.
- Hazard, exposure and risk concepts - hazard information, exposure routes (including dermal and ocular), and health/safety risk characterization.
- Risk assessment process - identification of competent assessors, information collection, hazard assessment, exposure assessment, risk prioritization, documentation and review.
- Risk control requirements - application of the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE), selection and evaluation of control measures, control banding and qualitative approaches, and safety‑by‑design principles.
- Measurement and monitoring - need for measurement, instrument selection, sampling strategies (air and surface), and limitations of current methods.
- Operational guidance - spill and accidental release response, storage and disposal planning for nanomaterial waste, fire and explosion prevention, and health surveillance.
- Supporting material - informative annexes on NOAA categories, dermal/ocular exposure, and state‑of‑the‑art control measures.
Applications and who should use it
ISO/TS 12901-1:2024 is intended for practical implementation in workplaces and organizations that produce, handle, process or dispose of engineered nanomaterials. Typical users include:
- Health & safety managers
- Production and operations managers
- Environmental managers
- Industrial/occupational hygienists
- EHS consultants and facility engineers
- Regulatory authorities and auditors
Use cases include developing workplace risk assessments, selecting engineering controls and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), preparing spill response and waste disposal procedures, setting monitoring programs, and integrating safety‑by‑design in R&D and procurement.
Related standards
Complementary guidance can be found across the ISO nanotechnologies family and other occupational safety standards addressing exposure assessment, PPE selection, and environmental management. Refer to ISO technical committees and national bodies for related parts and updates.
Keywords: ISO/TS 12901-1:2024, nanotechnologies, engineered nanomaterials, occupational risk management, exposure assessment, PPE, control measures, spill response, waste disposal, workplace safety.
Open preview (PDF)Nanotechnologies — Occupational risk management applied to engineered nanomaterials — Part 1: Principles and approaches
