Soil Association Bans Man-Made Nanoparticles

The organisation stressed that its ban on the use of such materials particularly underlined beauty products, stating that it was taking action 'against this hazardous, potentially toxic technology that poses a serious new threat to human health'.

The ban means that As of January 2008 the organisation will not allow any product containing man-made nano particles to bear its globally recognised certification and labelling, which is pro-organic. The move also makes the Soil Association the first body in the world to take regulatory action against nanoparticles in an effort to 'safeguard the public', ahead of the Government.

"We are deeply concerned at the government's failure to follow scientific advice and regulate products," said Gundula Azeez, Soil Association policy manager. "There should be an immediate freeze on the commercial release of nanomaterials until there is a sound body of scientific research into all the health impacts," Azeez added.

The Soil Association's concerns are related to man-made nanoparticles and are not objecting to natural nanoparticles such as soot produced by volcanoes (life has evolved with these). The association refers to research carried out on behalf of the UK government by the Royal Society and the Academy of Engineering in 2004, which pointed out that nano developed materials should be treated as new chemicals and should be subject to thorough safety testing before being commercially launched.

In a press statement the organisation pointed out that Many well-known companies such as L'Oreal, Unilever, Boots and Lancome are already developing and introducing these super fine particles into their products. However, it also underlined the fact that, none of these products are required to have labelling warning of the potential dangers.

You can purchase Soil Association certified products from TheNaturalBeautyShop.com by clicking here

For more information on the ban read the guardians recent article here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jan/15/organics.nanotechnology