ISO TS 80004-1:2010

Nanotechnologies - Vocabulary - Part 1: Core terms

ISO/TS 80004-1:2010 lists terms and definitions related to core terms in the field of nanotechnologies. It is intended to facilitate communications between organizations and individuals in industry and those who interact with them.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Oct-2010
• ICS: 01.040.07 - Natural and applied sciences (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 07.030 - Physics. Chemistry
• ICS: 07.120 - Nanotechnologies
• Technical Committee: TC 113 - Nanotechnology for electrotechnical products and systems
• Drafting Committee: JWG 1 - TC 113/JWG 1
• Current Stage: DELPUB - Deleted Publication
• Start Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Completion Date: 26-Oct-2025

Relations

• Revised: ISO 80004-1:2023 - Nanotechnologies - Vocabulary - Part 1: Core vocabulary
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revised: ISO TS 80004-1:2015 - Nanotechnologies -- Vocabulary -- Part 1: Core terms
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Overview

ISO/TS 80004-1:2010, published by IEC in collaboration with ISO, defines the core vocabulary for nanotechnologies. This technical specification is essential for harmonizing terminology across industry, research, and regulatory bodies engaged with nanotechnology. By establishing clear and consistent terms and definitions related to nanoscale phenomena and materials, the standard facilitates effective communication, collaboration, and innovation in this rapidly evolving field.

Nanotechnologies involve working with materials and structures typically ranging from 1 nm to 100 nm, where unique size- and structure-dependent properties emerge. ISO/TS 80004-1:2010 lays the groundwork for a broader vocabulary series addressing various nanotechnology domains, ensuring a unified language that supports scientific discovery, product development, and policy-making.

Key Topics

• Nanoscale (2.1): Defines the size range approximately between 1 nm and 100 nm, acknowledging this as the scale where distinctive properties typically arise.
• Nanoscience (2.2): Study of matter in the nanoscale, focusing on unique phenomena different from bulk materials or single atoms.
• Nanotechnology (2.3): Application of scientific knowledge to manipulate and control matter at the nanoscale to leverage unique properties.
• Nanomaterial (2.4): Materials with external or internal dimensions at the nanoscale, including nano-objects and nanostructured materials.
• Nano-object (2.5): Materials with one, two, or three external nanoscale dimensions; serves as a generic term for discrete nanoscale entities.
• Nanostructure and Nanostructured Material (2.6 and 2.7): Compositions containing nanoscale regions or surface features.
• Engineered, Manufactured, and Incidental Nanomaterials (2.8 - 2.10): Differentiates nanomaterials designed for specific functions, commercially produced nanomaterials, and those produced unintentionally.
• Nanomanufacturing and Processes (2.11 and 2.12): Intentional synthesis or control of nanomaterials for commercial purposes, encompassing the necessary fabrication steps.
• Nanoscale Phenomenon and Property (2.13 and 2.14): Characteristics or effects attributable to nanoscale dimensions or nano-objects.

The standard emphasizes flexibility in terminology to accommodate ongoing scientific advancements and measurement improvements while maintaining clarity and applicability.

Applications

ISO/TS 80004-1:2010 is crucial for multiple stakeholders involved with nanotechnologies:

• Industry professionals developing nanoscale materials and products benefit from standardized definitions that promote regulatory compliance and quality control.
• Researchers and scientists gain a shared language to describe nanoscale characteristics, facilitating knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Regulatory agencies can utilize consistent terminology for risk assessment, health and safety evaluations, and standardizing testing protocols for nanomaterials.
• Educators and trainers rely on the harmonized vocabulary for developing instructional materials and communication tools that accurately represent nanotechnology concepts.
• Manufacturers applying nanomanufacturing techniques use the standard to define and control processes and product specifications at the nanoscale.

By clarifying terms such as “engineered nanomaterial” and “incidental nanomaterial,” the standard supports the safe innovation and responsible application of nanotechnologies across sectors including healthcare, electronics, materials science, and environmental technology.

Related Standards

ISO/TS 80004-1:2010 is part of a broader series designed to expand and refine the vocabulary for nanotechnologies:

• ISO/TS 80004-2: Terminology for nano-objects including nanoparticles, nanofibres, and nanoplates (upcoming revision of ISO/TS 27687:2008)
• ISO/TS 80004-3: Terms related to carbon nano-objects
• Other planned parts in the series addressing nanostructured materials, nano/bio interfaces, nanoscale measurement and instrumentation, diagnostics and therapeutics, and nanomanufacturing processes.

Additional referenced documents include:

• ISO/TS 27628:2007: Related to ultrafine particles and nanoparticle inhalation exposure.
• ASTM E2456-06: Provides standard terminology for nanotechnology, aiding cross-reference with ISO standards.

Conclusion

ISO/TS 80004-1:2010 establishes a foundational lexicon for nanotechnologies, providing essential clarity in a complex and fast-moving field. Adopting this standard enhances communication, fosters industry innovation, and supports regulatory frameworks by defining core nano-related terms with precision and professional rigor. Organizations and individuals involved in nanotechnology development, application, and governance will find this specification indispensable for ensuring consistency and mutual understanding.

Standards Content (Sample)

TECHNICAL ISO/TS
SPECIFICATION 80004-1
First edition
2010-10-15
Nanotechnologies — Vocabulary —
Part 1:
Core terms
Nanotechnologies — Vocabulaire —
Partie 1: Termes «cœur»
Reference number
ISO/TS 80004-1:2010(E)
©
ISO 2010
ISO/TS 80004-1:2010(E)
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ii © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

ISO/TS 80004-1:2010(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope.1
2 Terms and definitions.1
Bibliography.3
Alphabetical index.4

ISO/TS 80004-1:2010(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
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International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
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The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
In other circumstances, particularly when there is an urgent market requirement for such documents, a
technical committee may decide to publish other types of document:
— an ISO Publicly Available Specification (ISO/PAS) represents an agreement between technical experts in
an ISO working group and is accepted for publication if it is approved by more than 50 % of the members
of the parent committee casting a vote;
— an ISO Technical Specification (ISO/TS) represents an agreement between the members of a technical
committee and is accepted for publication if it is approved by 2/3 of the members of the committee
casting a vote.
An ISO/PAS or ISO/TS is reviewed after three years in order to decide whether it will be confirmed for a
further three years, revised to become an International Standard, or withdrawn. If the ISO/PAS or ISO/TS is
confirmed, it is reviewed again after a further three years, at which time it must either be transformed into an
International Standard or be withdrawn.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO/TS 80004-1 was prepared jointly by Technical Committee ISO/TC 229, Nanotechnologies, and Technical
Committee IEC/TC 113, Nanotechnology standardization for electrical and electronic products and systems.
The draft was circulated for voting to the national bodies of both ISO and IEC.
Documents in the 80000 to 89999 range of reference numbers are developed by collaboration between ISO
and IEC.
ISO/TS 80004 consists of the following parts, under the general title Nanotechnologies — Vocabulary:
— Part 1: Core terms
— Part 3: Carbon nano-objects
The following parts are under preparation:
1)
— Part 2: Nano-objects — Nanoparticle, nanofibre and nanoplate
— Part 4: Nanostructured materials
— Part 5: Nano/bio interface
— Part 6: Nanoscale measurement and instrumentation
— Part 7: Diagnostics and therapeutics for healthcare
— Part 8: Nanomanufacturing processes

1) ISO/TS 27687:2008 will be revised as ISO/TS 80004-2.
iv © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

ISO/TS 80004-1:2010(E)
Introduction
Many predict that applications of nanotechnologies will ultimately pervade virtually every aspect of life, and
enable dramatic advances in communication, health, manufacturing, materials and knowledge-based
technologies. Even if this is only partially realized, there is a need to provide industry and researchers with
suitable tools to assist with the development, application and communication of nanotechnologies.
An essential tool is the harmonization of terminology and definitions, in order to promote common
understanding and consistent usage across the industrial sectors where nanotechnologies are being
developed and used.
In the context of the ISO/TS 80004 series of standards, “terminology” refers to the following:
a) a structured or conceptual presentation of vocabulary employed in nanotechnologies, and
b) assigned definitions for specific units of the language in this vocabulary.
This part of ISO/TS 80004 presents terminology and definitions for core terms in this emerging vocabulary,
and serves as the foundation for a broader vocabulary constituted collectively by the ISO/TS 80004 series of
standards.
Nano-object (2.5) and nanoscale (2.1) are examples of core terms in nanotechnologies. These respective
definitions employ size and geometric boundaries to express fundamental and measurable aspects of
nanomaterials. In the case of the term “nanoscale”, the definition acknowledges that the actual size range of
nano-objects may fall outside the precise boundaries normally associated with the concept of scale
...