The Nanosafety Cluster projects NanoReg2 and Gracious, focused on grouping, have come together with the OECD Working Party for Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) to host a prestigious conference in Paris in September. The workshop immediately follows the a WPMN meeting on Physico-Chemical Parameters Framework for the Risk Assessment of Nanomaterials, which brings together international experts to review the outcomes of two joint projects on physico-chemical properties of nanomaterials and their measurement.

The NanoReg2 (www.nanoreg2.eu) and Gracious (www.h2020gracious.eu) workshop will build upon the OECD meeting, with synergies between the grouping approaches taken by both projects and the physico-chemical parameters and their measurement and reporting that will be covered as part of the OECD meeting. The final agenda and speakers for the grouping workshop will be announced in due course, but session topics will include:

• Grouping of nanomaterials: Principles, history and context of Grouping activities

• Over-arching Grouping schemes

• Grouping in practice – Connecting to test methods and strategies

• Development of Grouping recommendations and next steps

Outcomes of the workshop will include recommendations on nanomaterials grouping that can support global regulations and standards development. The workshop invites participation from stakeholders with experience of nanomaterials grouping and physico-chemical and hazard assessment. Stakeholders from industry and regulatory backgrounds are especially welcome. Participation in the workshop will be free, with delegates covering their own travel and subsistence costs. Places are limited and potential participants are required to provide a short summary of their relevant expertise to allow the organisers to ensure representation from a diverse range of stakeholders.