Monday 27^th October  2025

The UK Nanosafety Group (UKNSG) is today launching the third edition of its Working Safely with Nanomaterials in Research and Development guidance 

Since its formation in 2009, the UKNSG has released two editions of its guidance, reflecting developments and best practice in the field. The publication of this third and final edition of the guidance marks the end of the UKNSG mission. 

The third edition provides updates to reflect changes in legislation, recent studies in the literature, and best practice since the second edition was published in 2016. The guidance is aimed at researchers in both academia and industry working or intending to work in laboratories with nanomaterials. A nanomaterial is defined as a substance with at least one dimension below 100 nanometres (nm). With the increase in research into the safe handling and management of nanomaterials, the publication provides updated guidance based on the latest knowledge and best practice. It will be a useful reference source for health and safety managers, lab workers and technicians, researchers and others who are planning to handle nanomaterials in their work.

Chair of the UKNSG David Kinnison says “The third edition of the guidance has been published to update our previous guidance and include the latest knowledge of safe handling of nanomaterials in an R&D setting. With this publication, the work of the UKNSG is completed and we thank all of our supporters and contributors who have volunteered their time and expertise. We can be proud of the work achieved since the foundation of UKNSG, with previous versions of the guidance being used in labs throughout the UK and the wider world.” 

He continues, “Since 2009 we have been supported by many bodies including the Universities Safety and Health Association (USHA), Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), Institute of Safety in Technology and Research (ISTR), University Chemical Safety Forum (UCSF), British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) and the Royal Society of Chemistry.” 

Copies of the third edition can be downloaded without cost and under creative commons licence from https://chemsaf.net/#guidance-notes

About UKNSG

The UK Nanosafety Group (UKNSG) was established in 2009 to provide guidance for the safe and responsible handling of nanomaterials in research and development laboratories. It brought together a team of science safety advisers from higher education, experts from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL), the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) and industry and industry bodies. Its work was supported by groups including the Universities Safety and Health Association (USHA), Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), Institute of Safety in Technology and Research (ISTR), University Chemical Safety Forum (UCSF), British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) and The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). Two previous editions of its guidance Working Safely with Nanomaterials in Research and Development were published in 2012 and 2016.

With the publication of this 3^rd edition, the UKNSG mission has reached an end and the group will now be disbanded. 

For more information about the UK Nanosafety Group (UKNSG) please contact the Chair David Kinnison, uknanosafetygp@gmail.com.