Description of PAS 138:2012 2012

This Publicly Available Specification (PAS) provides guidance on the safe disposal of manufacturing process waste containing unbound manufactured and/or engineered nano-objects, including agglomerates and aggregates of the same. The guidance given includes good practice for maintaining substance identity of nano-objects in manufacturing processes and associated waste, consideration of nano-object component recovery prior to waste disposal, guidance on appropriate disposal routes, on the preparation of waste materials for transfer to a waste disposal company, and on the information that should be provided to those involved in the disposal of the waste. The document includes a decision tree to assist users in applying its recommendations.

This PAS is intended for use by companies involved in the production, handling or distribution of manufactured and/or engineered nano-objects, those incorporating manufactured and/or engineered nano-objects into products, and those involved in the disposal of relevant waste. It might also be of value to research and development laboratories involved in the preparation, development, use or handling of manufactured or engineered nano-objects, as well as those organizations involved in the regulation and/or monitoring of waste and waste disposal.

Guidance on sampling and analysis of complex matrices, including wastes, for the presence of manufactured and/or engineered nano-objects is given in PAS 139.

This PAS is not intended to provide guidance on the disposal of solid composite materials containing nano-objects that are securely bound within the matrix, post-consumer waste containing nano-objects, or waste containing only naturally occurring and/or incidental nano-objects.

NOTE 1 Regulating waste is a devolved responsibility in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Where regulation is referred to in this PAS, every effort has been made to identify the relevant regulations for each region of the UK – England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. However, as a number of changes to the regulation of waste have occurred over recent years, users of this PAS should ensure that they are conversant with the latest regulations applicable to their situation.

NOTE 2 Guidance to wider regulations and standards relevant to nanomaterials and nanotechnology-based products is given in PAS 137.

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