9. Medical and paramedical, pharmacy, parapharmacy, dentistry, food industries

Silicones are particularly appreciated for their innocuousness (provided the right grades are chosen), chemical inertness, durability, lubricating and non-stick properties, water resistance, and the ease with which certain grades can be processed.

Depending on the application, the other qualities appreciated for chemical and mechanical engineering are still of great interest.

Purely medical applications, which are extremely sensitive, have given rise to European directives, standards and regulations, for example:

• non-active surgical implants – breast implants – Special requirements – NF EN ISO 14607;

• directives relating to medical devices. DI 93/42, 98/79/EC, 2000/70/EC, 52001DC0666 ;

• medical-surgical equipment – external breast...