Denmark government plans compulsory nanomaterials product database in cosmetics

The Denmark Environmental Minister Ida Auken has announced a new plan to create a database of products made with nanomaterials, in a bid to establish a national protocol and to evaluate if its content in a product may put consumers at risk.

The new step is the result of an agreement between the Government and the Alliance, wherein the Ministry plans to come out with a report on the products and publish it by early 2014, reported cosmeticsdesign.com.

Auken said the country currently is lagging behind on knowledge on nano, though it is crucial to know about it, and what it is used for.

"I want a green transition, where both the environment and industry can grow hand in hand. Nanotechnology is a great example of this," added Auken.

According to the minister, nanotechnology offers growth potential and can save both energy and resources for the country.

The government said that as per a draft amendment to the Danish Chemicals Act, the new order will require producers and importers to report products containing or releasing nanomaterials.

In July 2012, the Danish government went ahead and banned four industrial chemicals, which were said to be disrupting the human endocrine system.

This comes despite the European Union’s ruling to phase out phthalates by spring 2013, according to the website.

The ban on DEHP, DBP, DIBP and BBP phthalates would be from 2012 autumn.

The European Commission said it will continue to keep a watch on the steps taken by the Danish government and will take ‘appropriate action’ in this instance.