Overview
CEN ISO/TR 18401:2020 (adopted from ISO/TR 18401:2017) is a technical report that provides plain‑language explanations of selected terms from the ISO/IEC 80004 vocabulary series for nanotechnologies. Its purpose is to help stakeholders - including industry, regulators and researchers - make informed decisions about the direction, management and application of nanotechnologies by clarifying key terminology such as nanoscale, nanomaterial, nano‑object and related concepts.
Key topics and requirements
This Technical Report is explanatory rather than normative. Key topics covered (with ISO definitions reproduced where appropriate) include:
- Nanoscale - the length range approximately from 1 nm to 100 nm, and why unique size‑dependent properties occur in this range.
- Nanoscale phenomenon - effects attributable to nano‑objects or nanoscale regions.
- Nanotechnology - manipulation and control of matter predominantly in the nanoscale to use size‑ and structure‑dependent properties.
- Nanomaterial / Manufactured nanomaterial - materials with external or internal nanoscale dimensions; intentionally produced nanomaterials.
- Nano‑object / Nanoparticle / Nanofibre / Nanoplate - discrete pieces with one, two or three external dimensions in the nanoscale (including guidance on when to use specific terms).
- Agglomerate vs Aggregate - distinction between weakly bound collections and strongly bonded/fused particles.
- Nano‑enabled / Nano‑enhanced - functional performance that is possible only because of, or improved by, nanotechnology.
- Nanocomposite, Nanophase, Nanolayer, Nanocoating, Nanofilm - common material classes and thin‑film concepts used in nano‑applications.
The report explains relationships among terms, provides practical examples, and seeks to reduce misinterpretation and inconsistent usage across sectors.
Applications and practical value
CEN ISO/TR 18401 is useful for:
- Product developers and manufacturers using nanomaterials and nanocoatings to ensure correct labelling and internal communication.
- Regulatory and health & safety professionals performing risk assessment and compliance tasks where precise terminology matters.
- Procurement, standard writers and technical communicators who require consistent vocabulary for specifications, datasheets and education.
- Researchers and educators who need concise explanatory material to introduce nanoscale concepts.
Practical benefits include improved communication across multidisciplinary teams, clearer product claims (nano‑enabled vs nano‑enhanced), and a common baseline for evaluating emerging nanotechnology applications.
Related standards
Keywords: nanotechnologies, nanoscale, nanomaterial, nanoparticle, nano‑object, ISO/IEC 80004, nanocoating, nanocomposite, terminology, vocabulary.