(nano) after an ingredient
That ingredient is present as a nanomaterial: an insoluble or biopersistent, intentionally manufactured material with one or more external dimensions, or an internal structure, on the scale of 1 to 100 nanometres.
How to read it
The label is about particle size, not about which substance it is: titanium dioxide may appear in one sunscreen with (nano) and in another without, depending on the grade the maker used. Before a cosmetic containing a nanomaterial goes on sale, Article 16 requires the responsible person to notify it to the European Commission six months in advance (with exceptions, for example nanomaterials that are colorants, UV filters or preservatives regulated under Article 14).
What it does not promise
It does not promise that the ingredient is harmful, and it does not promise that it is safe either: it is a disclosure that the law requires for every nanomaterial ingredient. It does not promise that the other ingredients contain no small particles — only materials meeting the Article 2(1)(k) definition must be flagged.
This page explains what a symbol or mark on the pack means in law or in the scheme’s own rules. It is not advice on whether a product or an ingredient is safe for you or suits your skin: for that, read the product’s warnings and ask a pharmacist or doctor.
- What it looks like
- The word nano in round brackets straight after an ingredient name in the list, for example ‘TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NANO)’ or ‘ZINC OXIDE (NANO)’ in a sunscreen.
- Legal reference
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Article 19(1)(g), with the definition in Article 2(1)(k)
- Also called
- nano in brackets; titanium dioxide (nano); zinc oxide (nano); nanomaterial label
Good to know
Article 16(1) states the general rule for these products: ‘For every cosmetic product that contains nanomaterials, a high level of protection of human health shall be ensured.’
Related
Other marks with the same shape
Sources
Each document was fetched and read on the date shown. Written in our own words; quotations are the documents’ wording.
- Legal text — EU Official Journal text, reproduced by legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives): Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 — Article 19, Labelling (as adopted) — Article 19(1)(g): ‘All ingredients present in the form of nanomaterials shall be clearly indicated in the list of ingredients. The names of such ingredients shall be followed by the word “nano” in brackets.’ Checked 2026-09-26.
- Legal text — EU Official Journal text, reproduced by legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives): Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 — Article 2, Definitions (as adopted) — Article 2(1)(k): ‘“nanomaterial” means an insoluble or biopersistant and intentionally manufactured material with one or more external dimensions, or an internal structure, on the scale from 1 to 100 nm’. Checked 2026-09-26.
- Legal text — EU Official Journal text, reproduced by legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives): Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 — Article 16, Nanomaterials (as adopted) — Article 16: high level of protection for products with nanomaterials; notification to the Commission ‘six months prior to being placed on the market’; the Article does not apply to nanomaterials used as colorants, UV-filters or preservatives regulated under Article 14 unless expressly specified. Checked 2026-09-26.
- Legal text — EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the European Union): Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 — consolidated text of 1 May 2025 — The consolidated text of 1 May 2025 carries the same ‘nano’ in brackets sentence in Article 19(1)(g). Checked 2026-09-26.