The Malta Initiative is conducting a survey to collect input on priorities where the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Test Guidelines (TG) and Guidance Documents (GD) need actions to make them applicable to nanomaterials and other advanced materials. The survey includes a preliminary list of suggested topics. Respondents can choose specific topics upon which to comment. The survey will close January 12, 2024.

According to the NanoSafety Cluster (NSC), the Malta Initiative aims to define priorities for making OECD TGs and GDs applicable to nanomaterials and other advanced materials. Priorities are set with the aim to:

• Help make legislation implementable and support industry with their regulatory compliance;
• Highlight the importance of these activities by listing highly relevant topics and rating them;
• Provide guidance for decision makers toward funding of activities;
• Guide and encourage scientists to support work toward OECD TGs and GDs;
• Support the work at OECD; and
• Collect resources to support the activities.

NSC states that the list will indicate the endpoints and existing TGs the actions will affect, while providing specific goals (e.g., amended/new TG, GD, or scoping review) and a tentative timeline toward the goal. According to NSC, the list is intended as a living document to be adjusted to progress, either by the actions themselves or by factors outside (e.g., changes in regulation). Topics are rated as highly relevant according to the following questions:

• Is the action relevant for multiple TGs or endpoints?
• Is it broadly relevant for regulation?
• Is it industrially relevant?
• Can an output quickly be created?