Record-breaking program “One Nano Product Every Working Day” with approval of 230 products

The head of the Center for the Development of Strategic Technologies of the Vice-President for Science announced a new record in the development of nano products and said: In 1404, despite the reduction in working days due to the 12-day wars and Ramadan, 230 products succeeded in receiving nanoscale certification; a figure that is 40 products more than the target set, and the total number of nano products in the country reached 1965.

According to the Communication and Information Center of the Vice-President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy, Saeed Sarkar, head of the Center for the Development of Strategic Technologies of the Vice-President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy, referring to the planning for the development of nanotechnology-based products in the country, said: At the beginning of 1404 and in a conversation with the Vice-President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy, it was decided that the Nano and Micro Technologies Development Headquarters would bring one new nanotechnology-based product to the stage of receiving nanoscale approval for every working day. Accordingly, the number of working days in the year was calculated and a quantitative target was determined.

He added: Therefore, despite the “12-day” war and the “Ramadan” war, about 52 days of the country’s working conditions were affected, and the total working days were reduced to about 190 days; ultimately, 230 products succeeded in receiving the “nanoscale” certificate, which is 40 products more than the target set, and including these products, the total number of products with this certificate in the country reached 1965 products.

Sarkar explained about the criteria for issuing nanoscale certification: This approval is issued based on two main indicators; first, that the product uses nanotechnology and its dimensions are less than 100 nanometers, and this is scientifically verified. Second, that the use of nanotechnology improves the performance of the product; in such a way that its quality, durability, or efficiency increases compared to conventional products. Therefore, simply being nano is not enough, and it must have added value and superior performance characteristics compared to conventional products.

The official explained the process of evaluating nanotechnology products in 1404: “This year, 653 product review requests were referred to the Nanotechnology Products Evaluation Group, and the review of 32 files that had begun at the end of last year continued. Of the total requests, 412 products were accepted by providing acceptable initial technical documentation and advanced to the next stage. Also, 119 products were conditionally accepted for completing technical documentation and using the laboratory network’s accreditation, and 113 products were not accepted due to not providing the minimum necessary documentation to prove their connection to nanotechnology or the applicant company’s withdrawal.

According to him, after visiting production lines, sampling, conducting scale and efficiency tests, and reviewing the results, 230 nanoscale certificates and 36 experimental certificates were ultimately issued. Also, the review of 22 products was stopped for reasons such as the impossibility of production, lack of coordination for the visit, or the company’s withdrawal from continuing the evaluation process.

The head of the Center for Strategic Technologies Development of the Scientific Deputy continued by referring to products requiring legal licenses and said: Products that require licenses from legal authorities such as the Food and Drug Administration, the Veterinary Organization, and the Plant Protection Organization for production and distribution in the market are evaluated only in terms of scale, type, and concentration of nanometer components, and the examination of their properties, safety, and health considerations is the responsibility of those specialized organizations.

Sarkar added: In this regard, 36 products have been referred to the Food and Drug Administration, 3 products to the Veterinary Organization, 4 products to the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad, and 8 products to internal units, and if the necessary licenses are received, they will be granted a nanoscale certificate.

Referring to the role of knowledge-based companies in the development of these products, he added: In 1404, 61 companies succeeded in receiving a nanoscale certificate. Of these, 27 companies are located in Tehran province. Isfahan province is in second place with 5 companies, followed by Yazd province with 4 companies, and Fars province with 3 companies. In total, the companies receiving this certificate are spread across about 20 provinces of the country.

Sarkar also said about the provincial distribution of products: Tehran province is in first place with 64 products, Fars province is in second place with 48 products, and Mazandaran province is in third place with 24 products. Also, Zanjan province is in the next place with 23 products, Qom with 17 products, Markazi province with 16 products, Qazvin with 11 products, and Isfahan with 7 products.

Finally, he pointed out the industrial fields of products receiving nanoscale certification in 1404 and said: The largest share belongs to the field of “industrial supplies” with 72 products. After that, the field of “energy, oil and related industries” is in second place with 41 products. The field of “chemicals” is in third place with 36 products, and the field of “medicine, health and wellness” is in fourth place with 26 products. Other products are also distributed in various industrial fields.