Global Status of Nanotechnology Policies in the Packaging Sector

Abstract

In recent years, the advent of nanotechnology (NT) has demonstrated the potential of reinvigorating the packaging sector. Aside from numerous benefits accruable from NT, challenges have arisen regarding its usage due to the susceptibility of nanomaterials (NMs) to accumulate environmentally, and in the human system, especially the capability of inducing varying degrees of safety and health hazards. Hence, it is imperative to put in place health, safety, and regulatory policies for nanotechnological processing, manufacturing, and intelligent, as well as active, packaging. Globally, policies and legislative frameworks are inculcated to check, regulate and ensure the safety of packaging, and facilitate consumer satisfaction and environmental protection. Thus, various nations across the globe have demonstrated a commitment to ensuring the suitability of their policing techniques and regulatory frameworks regarding nanotechnologies. Therefore, this chapter elucidates global policies, legislation, and regulatory frameworks to ensure best practices in NT packaging, especially in the food and agricultural sectors.

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