Overview
CEN ISO/TS 80004-3:2020 - Nanotechnologies: Vocabulary - Part 3: Carbon nano-objects is a vocabulary Technical Specification that defines terms for carbon-based nanoscale materials. Its purpose is to provide precise, harmonized definitions for carbon nano-objects (for example, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphene-related structures) to improve clarity and consistency across research, industry, regulation and standards work. The document is part of the ISO/TS 80004 series on nanotechnologies and is endorsed by CEN as CEN ISO/TS 80004-3:2020.
Key topics
This vocabulary specification covers foundational terminology and relationships relevant to carbon nano-objects, including:
- Nanoscale: the length range approximately from 1 nm to 100 nm and the implication that unique properties emerge in this range.
- Nanomaterial / Nano-object: definitions distinguishing materials with nanoscale external dimensions or nanoscale internal/surface structures.
- Particle morphology terms: clear definitions for nanoparticle, nanofibre, nanotube, nanorod, nanoplate, nanoribbon, nano-onion, nanocone, and related shapes.
- Graphene and 2D materials: definition of graphene (single-layer) and cross-references to complementary definitions for bilayer and few-layer graphene. Note that additional, expanded terms for graphene and two-dimensional materials are provided in ISO/TS 80004-13.
- Nanostructured carbon: terms describing carbon materials with internal or surface nanostructure and their interrelationships with conventional carbon materials (e.g., graphite).
Important characteristics of the standard:
- It is a vocabulary/terminology document (no normative references).
- Aims to harmonize terminology across research, manufacturing, testing, and regulation.
- Supersedes previous editions and is part of a multi-part ISO vocabulary series.
Applications
Who uses CEN ISO/TS 80004-3:2020 and why:
- Materials scientists and nanotechnology researchers - for consistent reporting and literature terminology.
- Product developers and manufacturers - to describe carbon nanomaterials in specifications, data sheets and supply chains.
- Regulators, health & safety professionals, and risk assessors - to ensure clear definitions for exposure assessment, labeling and compliance.
- Standards writers and test labs - as a reference vocabulary for test methods, specifications and interoperability.
- Procurement, intellectual property and regulatory affairs teams - for unambiguous contract language and patent/claims clarity.
Practical uses include harmonized reporting, improved communication in collaborative R&D, clearer regulatory submissions, and consistent metadata in materials databases.
Related standards
- ISO/TS 80004-1, general nanotechnology vocabulary (baseline concepts).
- ISO/TS 80004-2, nanoparticle-specific terminology referenced for morphology terms.
- ISO/TS 80004-13, detailed vocabulary for graphene and other two-dimensional (2D) materials.
- Other parts of the ISO/TS 80004 series covering broader nanotechnologies vocabulary.
