Recognizing the importance of standardization in the development and commercialization of nanotechnology and also in order to fulfill the objectives of the National Nanotechnology Program, Iran Nanotechnology Innovation Council (INIC) established the work group in 2006. The ultimate goal of the committee is “sustainable, safe, and responsible development of nanotechnology and enjoying benefits while protecting the human health and the environment.” General objectives of the committee are as follow:
Establishment of a transparent and efficient regulatory system to support sustainable development of the market and trading of nano products
Achieving a high capacity of efficient capital needed to operate in the field of nanotechnology, such as laboratory equipment, and nanometrology reference laboratories
Achieving adequate capacity in private sector to participate effectively in the activities and support standard and safety
Implementation of bilateral and multilateral regional and international protocols, regulations, and certificates in the field of nanotechnology standards and safety
Recognition of the country as the leading one in the fields of regulations, national and international standards, capabilities, infrastructure, and human resources for safe and standard nanotechnology
The Mirror Technical Committee of the ISO/TC229 Development of national and international standards, guidelines and protocols The committee serves as a mirror committee to the Nanotechnology Technical Committee of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) which has been founded in 2005 and is briefly called ISO/TC229. The committee has specialized work groups composing of different members from university professors, researchers of various research institutes, the Ministry of Health, National Institute of Standards, and companies active in the field of nanotechnology.” So far, the committee has developed 10 international standards as well as 139 national ones. Some of national and international standards are described below.
ISO/TR 11360: 2010; Nanotechnologies- Methodology for the classification and categorization of nanomaterials
ISO/TS 16550:2014; Nanotechnologies- Determination of silver nanoparticles potency by release of muramic acid Staphylococcus aureus
ISO/TS 18110:2015; Nanotechnologies- Vocabularies for Science, Technology, and innovation indicators
ISIRI 19758-2-1, Nanotechnologies- Nanomanufacturing- Key control characteristics- Part 2-1: Carbon nanotube materials-Film resistance
ISIRI 19935, Nanotechnologies- Determination of operating characteristics of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration devices- Test methods
ISIRI 19111, Nanotechnologies- Characterization of nanoparticles in inhalation exposure chambers for inhalation toxicity testing
ISIRI 18086, Nanotechnologies- Guidance on methods for nano- and microbiology measurements
Implementation of a comprehensive system of evaluation, monitoring, and certification and finally awarding the Nano symbol Nano Mark is a national symbol which is awarded to nano products. This symbol represents the use of nanotechnology in the production processes or improvement product quality and properties. In general, the system for awarding nano symbol has been designed and planned to achieve the following objectives:
Ensuring the quality and safety of nanoproducts in order to protect consumers of nanoproducts
Increasing the public confidence to develop nanotechnology market
Transparency of the business atmosphere for nanotechnology
Facilitating the trade with the goal of wealth creation and institutionalization of sustainable development of nanotechnology
In the process of awarding nano symbol, according to the claims of the companies about their products, they are assessed and evaluated from the aspects of being nanoscale, having claimed properties and characteristics, as well as safety; and if confirmed, the Nano Mark is awarded to the considered product which is printed on it as a label. This mark was approved in 2016 in the Supreme Council of Standard.
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