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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]