Hamburg, July 16 (DPA) Manufacturers, not wanting to miss a chance to apply the benefits of the new wave of technology, are placing a lot of faith in the future of nano materials -- tiny particles designed to improve certain product characteristics.

Nano particles are smaller than a speck of dust. Though their effect on humans and on the environment has not yet been researched conclusively, they already are found in many products without being listed as ingredients on the packaging.

But a new decree issued by the European Parliament requires cosmetic makers in the future to list nano materials in the ingredients and put the word nano in parentheses next to the name of the material.

In addition, they must file a security dossier with the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union (EU). If there is doubt over the safety of a material used, the EU can order an investigation of the material and, if necessary, issue special regulations for the material in question.

The materials titanium oxide and zinc oxide, for example, have been used as an ultraviolet (UV) filter in sunscreen creams. Birgit Huber of German's industry association for personal care and laundry products in Frankfurt said almost all sunscreen products on the market contain both ingredients.

The industry values materials like titanium oxide and zinc oxide in nano form because they open new possibilities.

'The two materials previously were included in cosmetics as white pigments. But they left a white film on the skin, something consumers didn't like,' said Huber. The nano particles now used in sunscreen creams make the pigments invisible to the human eye.

In addition, they offer a higher protection against UV light.