Blanca Suarez Merino
Director of Regulatory Affairs, Nanotechnology Industries Association, Belgium
Dr Blanca Suarez-Merino is a toxicologist with over 15 years’ experience in safety assessment of chemicals including nanomaterials in different sectors (chemicals, cosmetics, medical devices, and food contact materials). Currently, as Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Nanotechnology Industries Association (NIA), she actively contributes to key international groups organised by the OECD, CEN, ISO, ECHA, and EFSA, as well as relevant EU initiatives. At the National level she is an expert under the Nanotechnologies Standardization Group through the Swiss Association for Standardisation (SNV) contributing to CEN/TC 352 Nanotechnologies. Dr Blanca Suarez-Merino provides support to Association Members regarding regulatory challenges on different regulations pertaining chemicals, either through direct consultation or dedicated webinars. Dr Suarez-Merino represents the communication channel between Members and Policy makers/Regulators in Europe and in the US, and routinely contributes to the development of guidelines and guidance at the OECD WPMN in particular through the Steering Group on Testing and Assessment, the Safe Innovation Approach and the Advanced Materials group. Dr Suarez-Merino is also vice-chair of the Business at OECD (BIAC) Nanotechnology Committee.
