The NMEG was established in October 2012 with the support of the competent authorities for REACH and CLP (CARACAL) and the competent authorities for biocides.
The expert group is coordinated and hosted by ECHA. The agendas for the meetings are developed in consultation with the members of the NMEG by proposals from the participating experts, the Member State competent authorities (MSCAs), Member State Committee (MSC), Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) members, ECHA secretariat, European Commission, other EU Agencies and representatives from industry or non-governmental organisations.

The mandate of the NMEG is to provide informal and non-binding scientific and technical advice on questions related to nanomaterials or nanoforms of substances in the frame of the implementation of REACH, CLP, BPR, EUON and other issues of relevance to ECHA’s work.

The activity of the NMEG will not interfere with REACH, CLP or BPR formal regulatory processes. The NMEG improves the understanding of specific issues concerning nanomaterials/nanoforms of substances which leads to more informed and efficient discussions in ECHA Committees.

Participants of the NMEG are nominated experts from:

• EU Member State competent authorities
• European Commission: DG Environment (ENV), DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (GROW), and the Joint Research Centre (JRC)
• European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
• Stakeholder organisations
  • Industry associations
  • Non-governmental organisations

The topics are suggested for the agenda of the NMEG by ECHA or by the expert group members. Sessions are usually open to all participants, but closed sessions with authorities only are also possible.

Among the main topics that have been addressed by the NMEG are: technical challenges of registering and characterising substances; practical reporting in IUCLID; assessment of environmental or human health hazards for nanomaterials; updates on specific dossiers or substance evaluation cases (in closed sessions). NMEG has also discussed issues related to the development of REACH guidance documents for nanomaterials.

The NMEG usually meets twice a year.

• Meetings