Overview
EN ISO 17200:2020 - "Nanotechnology - Nanoparticles in powder form - Characteristics and measurements" (ISO 17200:2020) is a CEN-endorsed international standard that defines the fundamental characteristics to be measured for engineered nanoparticles supplied in powder form. The standard specifies which material attributes (size, chemical content, surface area) should be determined and identifies suitable measurement methods (e.g., SEM/TEM/STEM, XRD, BET) to support consistent characterization and communication among industry, regulators and consumers. It was published as a first edition in 2020 and supersedes earlier technical specifications.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and purpose
- Defines the core characteristics to be measured for nanoparticle powders: particle/primary particle size, chemical composition/crystallographic content, crystallite size and specific surface area.
- Intended to facilitate communication and comparability of results rather than to prescribe application-specific or health/safety testing.
- Measurement methods referenced
- Electron microscopy (TEM, STEM, SEM) for primary particle and morphology analysis.
- X-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystallographic information and crystallite size.
- Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) gas adsorption for specific surface area.
- Particle size distribution representation and relevant diameter metrics (area-equivalent, Feret).
- Sampling and reporting
- The standard addresses sampling and sample preparation at a general level and requires clear documentation in test reports so results are interpretable and comparable.
- Exclusions
- Does not include detailed step‑by‑step protocols, application‑specific characteristics, or direct health, safety and environmental assessments.
Applications and users
- Who uses EN ISO 17200:2020
- Materials scientists, analytical laboratories and QA/QC teams characterizing nanoparticle powders.
- Manufacturers of nanomaterials and downstream product developers needing consistent material specifications.
- Regulatory bodies and standardization organizations requiring harmonized measurement descriptors for policy, labeling or market surveillance.
- Buyers and product managers seeking clarity about nanoparticle content and properties.
- Practical uses
- Standardizing product data sheets and supplier declarations.
- Supporting material selection, quality control and inter-laboratory comparison.
- Informing regulatory dossiers where standardized descriptors of nanoparticle characteristics are required.
Related standards
EN ISO 17200:2020 is a practical, generic framework for consistent characterization of nanoparticles in powder form - essential for reproducible measurements, clear communication and reliable material specification across industry and regulation.