Nanotech Regulatory Document Archive

A very interesting new database – found out about it today via a @kulinowski tweet : the Nanotech Regulatory Document Archive. According to its homepage : “The Nanotech Regulatory Document Archive is a free, searchable database of governmental documents from around the world relating to nanotechnology regulation. Each entry in the database provides a direct [...]

TACD Resolution on Consumer Products Containing Nanoparticles

The Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) is “a forum of US and EU consumer organisations which develops and agrees on joint consumer policy recommendations to the US government and European Union (…)“. At its annual meeting last week in Brussels, it adopted a resolution on consumer products containing nanoparticles. TACD actually ”believes that steps urgently need to [...]

Nano & biocidal silver – Friends Of the Earth report

Friends of the Earth (FoE) released yesterday a report entitled   “Nano & biocidal silver - extreme germ killers present a growing threat to public health” (press release).
In the frame of this document, the NGO calls for “immediate moratorium on the commercial release of products that contain manufactured nanosilver until nanotechnology-specific regulation is introduced to protect the public, [...]

Focus on nanotechnology law blogs

Already 4 blogs dedicated to the topic of nanotechnology laws/regulations are referenced on Nanocolors :
–> Nanotechnology Law : “A Journal of Nanotechnology Law and Policies, dedicated to assess legal implications of nanoscale technologies and the emerging molecular nanotechnology.”
–> Nanotechnology Law Blog : “Regulatory and legal developments involving nanotechnologies & nanomaterials“
–> Nanotechnology Law Report : “Legal [...]

International approaches to the regulatory governance of nanotechnology

The Regulatory Governance Initiative (RGI) at Carleton University in Ottawa (Ontario, Canada) published in April a report entitled: “International Approaches to the Regulatory Governance of Nanotechnology“. According to the authors’ abstract :  “This report is an initial exploration into the question: ―How have Canada and other jurisdictions reacted to the recent emergence of nanotechnology-based products in [...]

Nanomaterials : the European Parliament calls for more prudence

With a very clear vote (391/398) Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) call for the “provision of information to consumers on the use of nanomaterials in consumer products : all ingredients present in the form of nanomaterials in substances, mixtures or articles should be clearly indicated in the labelling of the product“.  They also call [...]

Nanotechnology Law

Nanotechnology Law is the 3rd blog presented on Nanocolors specifically dedicated to nanotech laws & regulations issues. It presents itself as “a Journal of Nanotechnology Law and Policies, dedicated to assess legal implications of nanoscale technologies and the emerging molecular nanotechnology“. After a long period of inactivity between September 2007 and March 2009 (!), a [...]

National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2009

A bill entitled National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2009 (H.R. 554) was voted on February 11th at the American House of Representatives. It highlights the need to learn more about the possible environmental, health and safety dangers posed by some nanoscale materials. It also stresses the importance of keeping the public informed on these issues : ” [...]

World’s first mandatory national nanotech rule soon in Canada ?

According to an article (28/01/2009) on the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) website, the Canadian government is planning to release next February the world’s first national regulation requiring companies to detail their use of engineered nanomaterials ; quantity, usage and toxicity data would be required. According to Andrew Maynard, (chief science advisor for PEN), “This is information [...]

European activities in the field of ELSA and governance of nanotechnology

A recently released report summarizes the European Commission activities in the field of Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects (ELSA) and governance of nanotechnology (see this Nanowerk article). The report includes a list of EU funded projects related to these issues and can be downloaded on the Nanotechnology Homepage of the European Commission or directly here.