NEWS
Brussels conference discusses governance platform
The FramingNano project partners and Advisory Board members gathered in Brussels on Monday, 14 December 2009, ahead of the FramingNano International Conference “A New Governance Framework for Nanotechnologies” on 15 December.
The programme for the one-day Conference included presentations by Peteris Zilgalvis, Head of Unit and Renè Von Schömberg of the European Commission’s Governance and Ethics Unit, as well as contributions from industry, NGOs, governments and academia. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Philippe Martin, Principal Administrator with responsibilities for nanotechnology policy at Directorate-General Health and Consumer Protection (DG Sanco) of the European Commission.
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EU to review nanomaterials policies
The European Commission plans to review a number of EU policies and regulations covering health and environmental safety issues related to nanomaterials, The move comes in response to a call by the European Parliament to examine legislation in this area over the next two years.
"The Commission will review all relevant legislation within two years to ensure safety for all applications of nanomaterials in products with potential health, environmental or safety impacts over their life cycle," said Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas.
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Germany opposes 'nano' label for cosmetics
Efforts by European governments to force cosmetics manufacturers to inform consumers when products contain nanomaterials were resisted by Germany, it has emerged. The Germans felt adding a specific ‘nano’ tag to consumer information could be viewed by consumers as a warning.
In November, ministers from all EU member states adopted new rules on the marketing and safety of cosmetics by grouping the existing 55 directives into a single regulation. One of the key elements of the new streamlined laws is a clause requiring companies to print the word 'nano' in brackets after any ingredient which is smaller than 100 nanometres (100nm) in size.
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Australia worried about risk perception
A report by the Australia Institute calls for greater transparency and public engagement about the potential opportunities and risks posed by nanotechnology. Experts from the Institute say nanotech is already a reality in daily life, with more than 1,000 consumer products identified as containing nanomaterials.
Dr Fern Wickson, author of the report entitled “What you should know about nano”, recommends an 11-point plan of action for policymaking on nanoscale sciencies and technologies – which he refers to as nanoST.
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Commission Consultation on Nanotechnologies Code of Conduct
open until 3 January 2010
On 7th February 2008 the European Commission adopted a Recommendation on a Code of Conduct for Responsible Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies Research. This recommendation was followed on 26th September 2008 by Council Conclusions on Responsible Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies. Both documents suggested that the Commission Recommendation and the Code of Conduct should be revised after two years.
In anticipation of this revision, planned for February 2010, the Commission is currently conducting a public consultation in order to receive new inputs from all people and organisations involved or interested by nanosciences and nanotechnologies research in Europe, and notably research, policy makers, industry, media and civil society organisations.
The consultation will remain open up to Sunday 3 January 2010.
http://europa.eu/sinapse/sinapse/..
