SIST-TP CEN ISO/TR 18401:2020

Nanotechnologies - Plain language explanation of selected terms from the ISO/IEC 80004 series (ISO/TR 18401:2017)

ISO/TR 18401:2017 is intended to assist stakeholders who are making decisions about the direction, management and application of nanotechnologies to better understand selected key terms and definitions in the ISO/IEC 80004 vocabulary series for nanotechnologies.

Nanotechnologien - Erläuterung ausgewählter Begriffe der Normenreihe ISO/IEC 80004 in einfacher Sprache (ISO/TR 18401:2017)

Nanotechnologies - Explication en langage simple des termes choisis de la série de normes ISO/IEC 80004 (ISO/TR 18401:2017)

ISO/TR 18401:2017 est destiné à aider les parties prenantes qui prennent des décisions en ce qui concerne l'orientation, la gestion et l'application des nanotechnologies, à mieux comprendre des termes et définitions clés choisis de la série de normes de vocabulaire ISO/IEC 80004 relatives aux nanotechnologies.

Nanotehnologija - Preprosta razlaga izbranih izrazov iz skupine standardov ISO/IEC 80004 (ISO/TR 18401:2017)

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 30-Apr-2020
• Publication Date: 09-Jul-2020
• ICS: 01.040.07 - Natural and applied sciences (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 07.120 - Nanotechnologies
• Technical Committee: I13 - Imaginarni 13
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 01-Jul-2020
• Due Date: 05-Sep-2020
• Completion Date: 10-Jul-2020
• Ref Project: CEN ISO/TR 18401:2020 - Nanotechnologies - Plain language explanation of selected terms from the ISO/IEC 80004 series (ISO/TR 18401:2017)

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

• ISO/TS 80004‑1 (Core terms)
• ISO/TS 80004‑2 (Nano‑objects)
• ISO/TS 80004‑4 (Nanostructured materials)
• ISO/TS 80004‑11 (Nanolayer, nanocoating, nanofilm) CEN ISO/TR 18401:2020 endorses ISO/TR 18401:2017 without modification and complements the ISO/IEC 80004 vocabulary series as an accessible explanatory resource.

Keywords: nanotechnologies, nanoscale, nanomaterial, nanoparticle, nano‑object, ISO/IEC 80004, nanocoating, nanocomposite, terminology, vocabulary.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2020
Nanotehnologija - Preprosta razlaga izbranih izrazov iz skupine standardov
ISO/IEC 80004 (ISO/TR 18401:2017)
Nanotechnologies - Plain language explanation of selected terms from the ISO/IEC
80004 series (ISO/TR 18401:2017)
Nanotechnologien - Erläuterung ausgewählter Begriffe der Normenreihe ISO/IEC 80004
in einfacher Sprache (ISO/TR 18401:2017)
Nanotechnologies - Explication en langage simple des termes choisis de la série de
normes ISO/IEC 80004 (ISO/TR 18401:2017)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN ISO/TR 18401:2020
ICS:
01.040.07 Naravoslovne in uporabne Natural and applied sciences
vede (Slovarji) (Vocabularies)
07.120 Nanotehnologije Nanotechnologies
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

CEN ISO/TR 18401
TECHNICAL REPORT
RAPPORT TECHNIQUE
June 2020
TECHNISCHER BERICHT
ICS 07.120; 01.040.07
English Version
Nanotechnologies - Plain language explanation of selected
terms from the ISO/IEC 80004 series (ISO/TR
18401:2017)
Nanotechnologies - Explication en langage simple des Nanotechnologien - Erläuterung ausgewählter Begriffe
termes choisis de la série de normes ISO/IEC 80004 der Normenreihe ISO/IEC 80004 in einfacher Sprache
(ISO/TR 18401:2017) (ISO/TR 18401:2017)

This Technical Report was approved by CEN on 8 June 2020. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 352.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2020 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN ISO/TR 18401:2020 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
The text of ISO/TR 18401:2017 has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 229
"Nanotechnologies” of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and has been taken over
as CEN ISO/TR 18401:2020 by Technical Committee CEN/TC 352 “Nanotechnologies” the secretariat of
which is held by AFNOR.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO/TR 18401:2017 has been approved by CEN as CEN ISO/TR 18401:2020 without any
modification.
TECHNICAL ISO/TR
REPORT 18401
First edition
2017-06
Nanotechnologies — Plain language
explanation of selected terms from the
ISO/IEC 80004 series
Nanotechnologies — Explication en langage simple des termes choisis
de la série de normes ISO/IEC 80004
Reference number
ISO/TR 18401:2017(E)
©
ISO 2017
ISO/TR 18401:2017(E)
© ISO 2017, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
Ch. de Blandonnet 8 • CP 401
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
[e-mail]
www.iso.org
ii © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

ISO/TR 18401:2017(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Terms and explanations . 4
4.1 Nanoscale, nanoscale phenomenon . 4
4.2 Nanotechnology . 6
4.3 Nanomaterials . 6
4.3.1 General. 6
4.3.2 Nano-objects . 7
4.3.3 Nano-objects, agglomerates and aggregates . 9
4.3.4 Nano-enabled, nano-enhanced .10
4.4 Nanocomposites .11
4.5 Nanolayers, nanocoatings and nanofilms .12
Bibliography .13
ISO/TR 18401:2017(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 technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
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. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following
URL: w w w . i s o .org/ iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by ISO/TC 229, Nanotechnologies.
iv © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

ISO/TR 18401:2017(E)
Introduction
The increasing use of nanomaterials in industry and society means that their utility, risks and benefits
throughout their life-cycle are important topics for discussion.
This document offers explanations (including examples) of selected nanotechnology terms and is
intended to facilitate an understanding of the use and applications of nanotechnology. Its target
audience is those who need to make decisions about the use of nanotechnology. The specific aim is to:
a) promote consistent usage and reduce misinterpretation of terms among users; and
b) facilitate communication and understanding in developing or commercializing applications of
nanotechnologies.
This document contains selected key terms and provides definitions and explanations to aid
understanding and illustrate, where applicable, the relationship between one term and another, using
practical examples where possible.
For ease of reference the ISO definitions are repeated throughout the document as appropriate.
Explanations and examples are chosen to underpin the selected terms published in the ISO/IEC 80004
vocabulary series.
Where new understanding develops, then the tools used to communicate such knowledge will benefit
from the constant review and revision of key terms as necessary. New terms can find common usage
which are not yet in the ISO/IEC 80004 vocabulary series. Such terms can be synonymous with terms
and definitions already found in existing ISO documents.
TECHNICAL REPORT ISO/TR 18401:2017(E)
Nanotechnologies — Plain language explanation of
selected terms from the ISO/IEC 80004 series
1 Scope
This document is intended to assist stakeholders who are making decisions about the direction,
management and application of nanotechnologies to better understand selected key terms and
definitions in the ISO/IEC 80004 vocabulary series for nanotechnologies.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/TS 80004-1, Nanotechnologies — Vocabulary — Part 1: Core terms
ISO/TS 80004-2, Nanotechnologies — Vocabulary — Part 2: Nano-objects
ISO/TS 80004-4, Nanotechnologies — Vocabulary — Part 4: Nanostructured materials
ISO/TS 80004-11, Nanotechnologies — Vocabulary — Part 11: Nanolayer, nanocoating, nanofilm, and
related terms
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO/TS 80004-1, ISO/TS 80004-2,
ISO/TS 80004-4 and ISO/TS 80004-11 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
nanoscale
length range approximately from 1 nm to 100 nm
Note 1 to entry: Properties that are not extrapolations from larger sizes are predominantly exhibited in this
length range.
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 80004-1:2015, 2.1]
3.2
nanoscale phenomenon
effect attributable to the presence of nano-objects or nanoscale regions
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 80004-1:2015, 2.13]
ISO/TR 18401:2017(E)
3.3
nanotechnology
application of scientific knowledge to manipulate and control matter predominantly in the nanoscale to
make use of size- and structure-dependent properties and phenomena distinct from those associated
with individual atoms or molecules, or extrapolation from larger sizes of the same material
Note 1 to entry: Manipulation and control includes material synthesis.
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 80004-1:2015, 2.3]
3.4
nanomaterial
material with any external dimension in the nanoscale or having an internal structure or surface
structure in the nanoscale
Note 1 to entry: This generic term is inclusive of nano-object and nanostructured material.
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 80004-1:2015, 2.4, modified]
3.5
manufactured nanomaterial
nanomaterial intentionally produced to have selected properties or composition
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 80004-1:2015, 2.9]
3.6
nano-object
discrete piece of material with one, two or three external dimensions in the nanoscale
Note 1 to entry: The second and third external dimensions are orthogonal to the first dimension and to each other.
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 80004-1:2015, 2.5]
3.7
nanoparticle
nano-object with all external dimensions in the nanoscale where the lengths of the longest and the
shortest axes of the nano-object do not differ significantly
Note 1 to entry: If the dimensions differ significantly (typically by more than 3 times), terms such as nanofibre or
nanoplate may be preferred to the term nanoparticle.
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 80004-2:2015, 4.4]
3.8
agglomerate
collection of weakly or medium strongly bound particles where the resulting external surface area is
similar to the sum of the surface areas of the individual components
Note 1 to entry: The forces holding an agglomerate together are weak forces, for example van der Waals forces or
simple physical entanglement.
Note 2 to entry: Agglomerates are also termed secondary particles and the original source particles are termed
primary particles.
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 80004-2:2015, 3.4]
2 © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

ISO/TR 18401:2017(E)
3.9
aggregate
particle comprising strongly bonded or fused particles where the resulting external surface area is
significantly smaller than the sum of surface areas of the individual components
Note 1 to entry: The forces holding an aggregate together are strong forces, for example covalent or ionic bonds,
or those resulting from sintering or complex physical entanglement, or otherwise combined former primary
particles.
Note 2 to entry: Aggregates are also termed secondary particles and the original source particles are termed
primary particles.
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 80004-2:2015, 3.5]
3.10
nano-enabled
exhibiting function or performance only possible with nanotechnology
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 80004-1:2015, 2.15]
3.11
nano-enhanced
exhibiting function or performance intensified or improved by nanotechnology
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 80004-1:2015, 2.16]
3.12
nanocomposite
solid comprising a mixture of two or more phase-separated materials, one or more being nanophase
Note 1 to entry: Gaseous nanophases are excluded (they are covered by nanoporous material).
Note 2 to entry: Materials with nanoscale phases formed by precipitation alone are not considered to be
nanocomposite materials.
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 80004-4:2011, 3.2]
3.13
nanophase
physically or chemically distinct region or collective term for physically distinct regions of the same
kind in a material with the discrete regions having one, two or three dimensions in the nanoscale
Note 1 to entry: Nano-objects embedded in another phase constitute a nanophase.
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 80004-4:2011, 2.12]
3.14
nanolayer
layer of material with thickness in the nanoscale
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 80004-11:2017, 3.2.1]
3.15
nanocoating
coating with thickness in the nanoscale
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 80004-11:2017, 3.2.2]
3.16
nanofilm
film with thickness in the nanoscale
Note 1 to entry: A nanofilm is a nanolayer which can be freestanding.
ISO/TR 18401:2017(E)
Note 2 to entry: A nanofilm can be made of solids or liquids (e.g. liquid film).
Note 3 to entry: A nano
...