ROYAL COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

ANNOUNCEMENT OF STUDY ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF NOVEL MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS

The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution announced on 3rd April 2006 that the topic of its 27th report will be the environmental effects of novel materials and applications. The main phase of the study will take place in 2007, reporting in early 2008, but is preceded by a scoping phase which is underway. The study is likely to cover a number of themes, including for example, the development process of novel materials, toxicity and eco-toxicity testing and data, positive and negative environmental impacts, and whether novel materials and applications are adequately regulated under existing regulations. It is anticipated that this scoping phase of the study will determine to the extent to which these and other issues are within the remit of the study.

The Commission is now seeking preliminary views on the key issues on which the study should concentrate. A seminar will also be held towards the end of 2006 to identify concerns and issues the study might explore. Once the scoping phase of the study is completed, the Commission will invite written evidence on the issues that it has identified through the seminar and preliminary information gathering.

The contact for all enquiries about the study of environmental effects of novel materials and applications is: Jo Bray, Assistant Secretary to the Commission, Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, Third Floor, 5-8 The Sanctuary, London SW1P 3JS (tel: 020 7799 8976, fax: 020 7799 8971, e-mail: jo.bray@rcep.org.uk).