Nanotechnologies: evidence-based regulation: Vigil Sanit Debate, Rio de Janeiro, 2024, v.12: e02260 | Published on: 20/02/2024

• Autor(a) principal: Binsfeld, Pedro Canisio
• Data de Publicação: 2024
• Outros Autores: Mauro Granjeiro, José
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Vigilância Sanitária em Debate
• Texto Completo: https://visaemdebate.incqs.fiocruz.br/index.php/visaemdebate/article/view/2260
• topic: Nanopartículas; Nanomateriais; Nanossegurança; Ciência Regulatória; Nanoparticles; Nanomaterial; Nanosafety; Regulatory Science; Nanopartículas; nanomateriales; nanoseguridad; ciencia regulatoria

The debate on best practices for the regulation of nanotechnologies needs to be deepened and still represents a challenge for Brazilian society, political authorities, and regulatory bodies. In recent years, there has been much discussion about the regulation of nanotechnologies; however, as a disruptive technology due to its complexity, limitations in the validation of analysis methodologies, and the scarcity of references on nanoparticles and nanomaterials, significant asymmetries and difficulties in understanding of best regulatory practices persist. Due to the limited technical and scientifically validated evidence, regulatory models known as “command and control” and the precautionary principle are used to prevent concrete/abstract but plausible dangers. As an alternative to the current regulatory model, this paper discusses the regulatory model considered the best global regulatory practice, which relies on regulatory science and evidence-based regulation. There is growing global acceptance of using technically and scientifically validated evidence to assist political and regulatory authorities in developing guidelines and regulatory standards that can protect public interests and maximize new technologies’ economic and social benefits.  Furthermore, evidence allows for anticipating potential risks and enables proactive approaches to the regulation of nanotechnologies. When considering this perspective, it is essential to emphasize that implementing an evidence-based regulatory model requires political, scientific, technical, and regulatory maturity to ensure that the benefits are harnessed to provide prosperity, safety, and sustainability through the use of disruptive technologies.