EU Nanotechnology Law & Policy News

European code of conduct for responsible nanosciences and nanotechnologies research

2008-07-23T14:43:00.000-07:00

European Commission Recommendation 2008/345/EC of 7 February 2008 on a code of conduct for responsible nanosciences and nanotechnologies research
[[2008] OJ L 116/46]

European Commission starts public dialogue on nanotechnologies – tapping economic and environmental potential through safe products

2008-06-19T07:31:00.000-07:00

Nanotechnologies have enormous potential benefits for manufacturers, consumers, employees, patients and the environment. They will bring more energy and resource efficient processes, improve computer memories and processors and could usher in a new age of customized pharmaceuticals and medical procedures. While current EU legislation covers in principle the challenges for health, safety and environment with regards to nanomaterials, there is further need for research and international cooperation. As more and more products involving nanomaterials are reaching the market, the European Commission will start a consultation with stakeholders and Member States in order to increase knowledge and awareness about the potential of nanotechnologies and to continue to ensure an adequate protection of nature, environment and health.
[European Commission Press Release]

Questions and Answers on Nanotechnologies in Europe

2008-06-19T07:29:00.000-07:00

[European Commission Memo]

Europe speeds up industrial research in micro-computers

2008-02-23T07:12:00.000-08:00

The European Commission is launching today a major Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) called ARTEMIS. With an unprecedented investment of € 2.5 billion, this initiative, that has been endorsed by the EU Council of Ministers and by the European Parliament at the end of 2007, addresses embedded computer systems that – while running almost unnoticed by users – improve the performance of all kinds of machines: from cars, planes and phones, to factories, washing machines and televisions. The Governing Boards of ARTEMIS – where public and private stakeholders take decisions jointly – met for the first time in Brussels today.
[European Commission Press Release]

Europe boosts industrial research in nanoelectronics

2008-02-23T07:09:00.000-08:00

An unprecedented € 3 billion will be invested in nanoelectronics, with the launch today of a major Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) endorsed by the EU Council of Ministers and by the European Parliament at the end of 2007. This initiative, called ENIAC, is a new public-private partnership which targets nanoelectronics, the technology that enables increasingly high levels of miniaturisation in the myriad of applications and high-tech products which are emerging today. The Governing Boards of this ENIAC – where public and private stakeholders take decisions jointly – meet for the first time in Brussels today.
[European Commission Press Release]

European Commission adopts Code of Conduct for Responsible Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies Research

2008-02-10T10:21:00.000-08:00

Europe is in the vanguard of the emerging field of nanosciences and nanotechnologies (N&N), a developing field of science with the potential for major positive impact economically, socially and environmentally. Nevertheless, knowledge gaps remain about the impact of these technologies on human health and the environment, as well as issues relating to ethics and the respect of fundamental rights. This is why the European Commission is recommending to the EU Member States to adopt a Code of Conduct to govern research in this field. Based around 7 general principles covering issues such as sustainability, precaution, inclusiveness and accountability, the Code of Conduct invites EU Member States to take concrete action, involving universities, research institutes and companies, for the safe development and use of nanotechnologies.
[European Commission Press Release]

Europe at the cutting edge of nanotechnology development

2007-11-23T05:36:00.000-08:00

Policy-makers, scientists and industrialists came together in Braga, Portugal to discuss the future of nanotechnology research in Europe. This comes at a positive time for European nanotechnology, with the public-private research partnerships for nanoelectronics and embedded systems close to becoming a reality, the European Commission identified as being the single largest investor in nanotechnology research, and a recently-completed public consultation on the principles for responsible nanotechnology research.
[European Commission Press Release]

European Commission launches consultation on responsible research in nanosciences and nanotechnologies

2007-07-23T15:57:00.001-07:00

The European Commission announced a public consultation on responsible nanosciences and nanotechnologies research on July 19. The consultation will provide input for a Recommendation to the EU Member States on a possible Code of Conduct for this emerging area of science, which the European Commission will put forward later this year. Contributions are expected from a broad cross-section of European society, including the scientific community, industry, civil society, policy-makers, media and the general public.
[European Commission Press Release]

Massive €3bn research boost for nanoelectronics as European Commission, EU Member States and industry join forces

2007-07-04T16:46:00.000-07:00

A new world of electronics, this time in miniature, will soon take a major step forward as the European Commission adopted its proposal to launch a Europe-wide public-private research partnership in nanoelectronics, called ENIAC. With an expected budget of €3bn from industry, EU Member States and the European Commission it will create a strong nanoelectronics research and manufacturing sector in Europe. This will ultimately generate innovative products with in-built intelligence in countless areas such as the consumer electronics, automotive, healthcare and environmental management sectors.
[European Commission Press Release]

Ethical aspects of nanomedicine: opinion presented to the European Commission by the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies

2007-03-23T02:50:00.000-07:00

In its Opinion the EGE acknowledges that nanomedicine offers the possibility of new diagnostic, treatment and preventive methods that may open up promising areas of medicine. The Opinion focuses on ethics issues arising from nanomedicine but also discusses a number of problems raised by nanotechnology insofar as they concern primarily health-related issues. [European Commission Press Release]

The economic development of nanotechnology in Europe

2006-12-03T10:54:00.000-08:00

European Commission publishes an indicator based analysis on the economic development of nanotechnology in Europe. [European Commission]

Request for a scientific opinion on the Safety of Nanomaterials in Cosmetic Products

2006-12-03T10:44:00.000-08:00

European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) invites to submit papers, data and other relevant information on the safety of nanomaterials in cosmetic products by 15 December 2006. [European Commission]

2006-10-22T05:10:00.000-07:00

Nanologue project presents results on ethical, legal and social aspects of nanotechnology: Recommendations to the European Commission
[Nanologue and Deutsches Museum Munich ]

2006-10-22T05:07:00.000-07:00

Nanologue project presents results on ethical, legal and social aspects of nanotechnology: NanoMeter
[Nanologue]

2006-10-22T05:03:00.000-07:00

Nanologue project presents results on ethical, legal and social aspects of nanotechnology: The future of nanotechnology: We need to talk
[Nanologue]

2006-10-22T05:01:00.000-07:00

Launch of UK Voluntary Reporting Scheme for Engineered Nanoscale Materials
[UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]

2006-09-30T05:32:00.000-07:00

European Parliament resolution on nanosciences and nanotechnologies: an action plan for Europe 2005-2009
[P6_TA-PROV(2006)0392]

2006-09-30T05:21:00.000-07:00

European Parliament supports nanosciences if managed ethically
[European Parliament News]