European standards bodies publish new methods for analysing nano-objects in food and industrial materials

European Committee for Standardization has published two new technical specifications establishing common methodologies for analysing nano-objects across food and industrial materials.

The documents, CEN/TS 18267:2026 and CEN/TS 18269:2026, were developed under European Commission Mandate M/461, which focuses on standardised approaches for nanotechnology applications.

One specification addresses detection and characterisation of nano-objects in inorganic food additives incorporated into food matrices. It provides guidance for food manufacturers, laboratories, and inspection authorities on sample preparation and analytical methods using electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

The objective is to improve consistency in identifying nano-scale particles, including their chemical composition and particle size distribution.

The second specification focuses on aggregation and agglomeration states of nano-objects in powders, aerosols, and suspensions. It outlines how laboratories and researchers should select measurement techniques and prepare samples when assessing whether nano-scale materials cluster together.

The distinction matters because aggregation and agglomeration can significantly affect the behaviour, toxicity, and regulatory classification of nanomaterials.

The standards are intended to support more comparable measurement practices across European laboratories and industries working with nanomaterials. They also respond to regulatory and safety challenges linked to the increasing use of engineered nano-materials in food production, manufacturing, and advanced materials development.

Mandate M/461 was launched by the European Commission to support safer and more consistent market introduction of nanotechnologies through harmonised technical methodologies.