International Cooperation on Responsible Development of Nanotechnology
Responsible development of nanotechnology concerns a multitude of factors that contribute to (1) the commercialization of widely beneficial applications, (2) simultaneous planning for societal changes that could result from such innovation, and (3) the avoidance of potential negative impacts from new products. Because technological innovation is a global phenomenon, responsible development will be achieved most e ff ectively through international cooperation.
In 2005, the NSET created the Global Issues in Nanotechnology (GIN) informal working group, whose purpose is to develop and coordinate United States Government international activities related to nanotechnology in support of the NSET Subcommittee and the National Nanotechnology Initiative, including those involving environmental and public health concerns and responsible development of nanotechnology.
The GIN working group has been an active participant in international activities in the past year, including the International Dialogue on Nanotechnology hosted by the EC in Brussels , 14-15 July 2005. GIN representatives have also participated in activities of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), including the Joint Meeting of Chemicals Committee and Working Party on Chemicals, Pesticides and Biotechnology (Environmental Directorate), 8-10 June 2005. Chemical experts from 30 OECD countries agreed at that meeting a to launch an international effort to coordinate assessment procedures for chemicals manufactured with nanotechnologies and to work toward linking national databases on high-production-volume chemicals and to establish a harmonized template for reporting hazard data needed for the notification and registration of new and existing chemicals, biocides, and pesticides. The next meeting of this group, the OECD workshop on the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials, was hosted by the EPA in Washington DC , 7-9 December 2005.
At the 24-25 October 2005 meeting in Paris, the U.S. proposed the creation of a Working Party on Nanotechnology within the Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy (Science, Technology and Industry Directorate). The United States believes that all countries will benefit from cooperating and coordinating efforts in many formative and non-competitive areas of nanotechnology R&D, such as technical norms and standards; intellectual property rights; environment, health, and safety; and education. International cooperation in these areas will be essential in realizing the full benefits of nanotechnology.
International Standardization Organization (ISO) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
A critical aspect of protecting health and the environment and a basis of any regulation of chemicals and materials are standardized tools and methods for measuring and monitoring exposure. Research related to measurement science and technology is led by NIST. However, standards are developed jointly by all stakeholders through consensus-based processes. In June 2004, in response to a letter from Dr. John Marburger, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) established a Nanotechnology Standards Panel to facilitate and coordinate nanotechnology standards development in the United States . The NSET Subcommittee and the relevant agencies are members of the Panel and its Steering Committee, and are providing financial support to facilitate its activities.
Subsequently, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has established a Nanotechnologies Technical Committee, which held its first meeting last week. The NNCO Director is Chair of the ANSI-accredited Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to the ISO and leader of the U.S. delegation. Further, the United States will lead the Working Group on Health, Safety, and Environmental Aspects of Nanotechnologies for the ISO Technical Committee.
The U.S. delegation submitted the NIOSH document on “Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology” to the ANSI TAG as a possible work item for the ISO Working Group. If approved the document will be put forth to the ISO Working Group as a draft to be further developed with inputs from other ISO Technical Committee member countries. Once developed and approved by the Technical Committee, the document will be issued as an international Publicly Available Specification, an informational document available to all countries.
Selected International Workshops and Fora with U.S. Sponsorship or Participation
Global Dialogue on Nanotechnology and the Poor: Opportunities and Risks (Meridian Institute)
June 2005 – London , UK ; Steering Group Meeting
International Council on Nanotechnology (CBEN / Rice University )
August 2005 – New York , NY
January 2006 – in Leixlip , Ireland
International Dialogue on Responsible Research and Development of Nanotechnology
June 2004 – Alexandria , VA ; sponsored by NSF (attended by 25 countries and the EU)
July 2005 – Brussels , Belgium ; hosted by the European Commission (EC)
2006 dialogue to be held in Tokyo , Japan
International Nanotechnology Conference on Communication & Cooperation
June 2005 – San Francisco , CA ; sponsored by EC, NSF, SIA, SRC and others
May 2006 to be held in Washington , DC
International Risk Governance Council
International Symposium on Nanotechnology and Occupational Health (NIOSH)
October 2004 – Buxton , UK ; hosted by United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive.
October 2005 – Minneapolis , MN ; hosted by NIOSH. 350 participants from 20 countries, 70 presentations, 40 posters.
2007 symposium to be held in Taipei , Taiwan .
Joint Meeting of the Chemicals Committee and Working Party on Chemicals, Pesticides and Biotechnology (OECD Environmental Directorate)
June 2005 – Paris , France
December 2005 – Washington , DC ; Workshop on the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials , hosted by EPA.