• Project number: F 2565
• Institution: Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)
• Status: Ongoing Project
• Planned end: 2026-05-31

Description:

BAuA is participating in the EU HORIZON project MACRAMÉ. This project will (further) develop and standardise testing methods for innovative materials with a focus on their applicability to carbon-based 2D materials and fibres, such as graphene and carbon nanotubes. MACRAMÉ is looking at specific case materials and products in order to investigate the release of these materials as well as the human and environmental exposures that occur during their life cycles. In this way, MACRAMÈ will lay important foundations for determining the actual releases from products and their risk assessment, for employers for example.

BAuA is supporting this work in particular by drawing up a targeted aerosol generation standard for controlled, reproducible dosing from the air. Aerosols are used in MACRAMÉ for the specific exposure of cells. This standard will serve as the basis for work that contributes to dose generation in inhalation studies during the development of an OECD testing guideline. The scientific focus is being placed on how to capture the behaviour of real aerosols and ageing processes in the air, the formation of fibre bundles for example.

Furthermore, the Fluidizer test, which is used to determine the dustiness of powders, will be further developed as a spectroscopic method for the investigation of powders’ release behaviour in response to variations in energy input.

In addition, BAuA is supporting the continuing refinement of high-resolution imaging techniques. In this respect, it is concentrating on characterising and quantifying carbon-based innovative materials – in their original powder forms, as well as in products (e.g. embedded in composites) and in test systems such as cells.

As part of the project, BAuA is leading a work package that will support standardising and harmonising the testing methodologies developed under MACRAMÉ by devising strategies for their translation into standards. Furthermore, MACRAMÉ is holding webinars and online workshops on the standardisation and harmonisation of testing methodologies, creating opportunities to discuss necessary and ongoing standardisation and harmonisation projects on innovative materials and nanomaterials with representatives of interested groups.

BAuA is supporting the drafting of a background analysis that will evaluate the testing methodologies’ regulatory maturity for risk analysis throughout the product life cycle. This will help to identify the requirements for implementation of legal and political frameworks. The analysis will inform recommendations on the further standardisation and harmonisation of testing methods for carbon-based innovative materials and their market-relevant composites, which will then be consolidated by carrying out stakeholder surveys.