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On March 12-13, 2015, the United States and the European Union held their fourth joint workshop on Bridging NanoEHS Research Efforts to further promote and deepen the collaboration on nanotechnology environmental, health, and safety (nanoEHS or nanosafety) research. The workshop brought together the U.S.-EU Communities of Research (CORs), launched by the European Commission and the United States in 2012.
Workshop participants reviewed progress toward COR goals and objectives, shared best practices, and identified areas for cross-COR collaboration. To address new challenges the CORs were realigned and expanded with the addition of a COR on nanotechnology characterization. The seven CORs now address:
- Characterization
- Databases and Computational Modeling
- Exposure through Product Life
- EcoToxicity
- Human Toxicity
- Risk Assessment
- Risk Management and Control
The CORs support the shared goal of responsible nanotechnology development as outlined in the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative EHS Research Strategy, and the research strategy of the EU NanoSafety Cluster. The CORs directly address several priorities described in the documents above, including the creation of a comprehensive nanoEHS knowledge base and international cooperation on the development of best practices and consensus standards.
The CORs are self-run, with technical support provided by the European Commission and the U.S. National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. Each Community has European and American co-chairs who convene meetings and teleconferences, guide the discussions, and set the group’s agenda. Participation in the CORs is free and open to any interested individuals. More information is available at www.us-eu.org.
The workshop was organized by the European Commission and the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative under the auspices of the agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the United States.
