Nanocarriers are innovative delivery and encapsulation systems with different chemical compositions and structures and are classified as advanced materials. They are used in a variety of applications, especially in medicine, cosmetics, and agriculture, as well as in food supplements and household products. Nanocarriers can protect sensitive active ingredients, delay their release, and even enable targeted delivery to the site of action, thereby increasing effectiveness and reducing any side effects. In the scientific literature, the term “nanocarrier” covers not only nanomaterials up to a size of 100 nm according to the definition proposed by the European Commission, but also structures up to 1,000 nm. At present, there is no uniform definition or categorisation of nanocarriers. In this dossier, they are classified on the basis of their origin and chemical composition, and categorised as organic, inorganic, and hybrid systems (material combinations of organic and inorganic materials) as well as supraparticles. To date, there has been little research on how nanocarrier systems behave in the various environmental compartments (soil, water, air). Analytical challenges and the lack of standardised test protocols make comprehensive risk assessments difficult.

The cosmetics industry uses a range of nanomaterials to improve the properties of products. Whilst there are no or only minor health concerns with soluble and biodegradable nanomaterials, such as those used to transport active ingredients into the skin, it is primarily the insoluble and persistent nanoparticles that give cause for concern. These are substances that are used, for example, as UV filters or dyes, or because of their antibacterial or antioxidant properties. To ensure the highest possible level of consumer protection, the EU Cosmetics Regulation was adapted in 2009, with special provisions introduced for nanomaterials. These include the notification of cosmetic products containing nanomaterials to the European Commission, a comprehensive safety assessment, and the labelling of nanoscale ingredients on the product label. Cosmetics are the only consumer products with such regulations in the EU. In the USA, for example, there are no such regulations to protect consumers. Technical progress, but also the experience gained during the implementation of the provisions for nanomaterials in the EU Cosmetics Regulation over the recent years, now necessitate their adaption and update. The definition of the term “nanomaterial” in the regulation, the safety assessment and notification procedures, and the labelling method are now subject to review at EU level.

Today, plastic is a ubiquitous material with good mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties and therefore used in many industrial sectors. The biggest challenge in recycling plastic waste is to separate the different types of plastic to a high degree of homogeneity. Waste sorting plants use automated sensorbased sorting systems to separate different plastics from each other. Many engineering plastics, such as polyoxymethylene (POM), end up in mixed waste streams, are not detected by sorting systems, and are therefore currently rarely or not at all recycled. Markerbased sorting is an innovative approach to improving recycling rates and achieving the recycling targets of the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP). For this, the marker materials are incorporated into plastics, which can only then be detected by automated sorting systems to subsequently achieve improved homogenisation. However, marker­based sorting is currently not economical because of the expected high implementation costs. Consequently, expensive technical plastics show the greatest potential for marker­based sorting. For example, POM from plastic components of waste electrical and electronic equipmentcould be separated by type and recycled. This dossier provides an overview of advanced materials with spectroscopic “fingerprints” and suitable detection methods that can be usedfor marker­based sorting.