The European Union (EU) Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON) has launched two calls for tenders to conduct studies on nanomaterials. The first call for tender is on valid in silico modeling tools and read-across approaches, including creating case studies on read-across for specific types of nanomaterials. According to the call for tender, the study proposes to examine the use of these tools for nanomaterials and to draw potential conclusions (for both regulators and industry/small- and medium enterprises (SME)) on the use of these approaches for specific categories of nanomaterials, including for metals, metal oxides, and organic nanomaterials. The study should use the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation as the regulatory framework for assessment of such approaches but should aim to generalize to other regulatory frameworks within the EU that may address nanomaterials. The study results will be peer reviewed as part of the set deliverables in the contract.

The second call for tender is for a study on nano-specific alternative methods in human risk/safety assessment under different EU regulations, considering the animal testing bans already in place for cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients. According to the call for tender, the study will be conducted as a systematic literature review on the currently available nano-specific replacement methods for the testing of the safety of nanomaterials. In addition, the literature review will be complemented with expert interviews and/or surveys. The study objective is to identify validated alternative methods, methods currently under validation, identification of the most promising methods to undergo validation, as well as to identify needs and/or make recommendations for further development in this area. The study results will be peer reviewed as part of the set deliverables in the contract.

Expressions of interest are due March 24, 2022.