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Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials: opportunities and challenges
IFCS Forum VI Agenda Proposal
Lead sponsor: G. Karlaganis, Switzerland
I.
Background
Nanotechnology is a rapidly emerging technological approach that is expected to result in major
changes across many industry sectors. This may bring many advances to society and benefits for
the environment, but also poses new challenges, especially in health and safety. To date
discussions on the potential benefits of nanotechnology have, for the most part, taken place
separately from those on the potential risks to human health and the environment of
nanomaterials. Such discussions should take place concurrently. As a result of nanotechnology’s
rapidly burgeoning growth, it is important that all stakeholders concerned (governments,
international, regional and national organizations, industry groups, public interest associations,
labour organizations, scientific associations and civil society) engage in discussions to identify
and address policy issues that may impact health and safety in positive or negative ways.
Governments around the world are looking at the new opportunities offered by nanotechnology
and, are keen to understand, avoid, reduce and manage risks associated with this new technology
and nanomaterials.
OECD has established under its Chemical Committee a Working Party on Manufactured
Nanomaterials (WPMN). It aims to promote international co-operation in health and
environmental safety related aspects of manufactured nanomaterials, in order to assist in their safe
development. The following six projects are in the workplan of the WPMN:

Development of an OECD Database on Human Health and Environmental Safety (EHS)
Research

EHS Research Strategies on Manufactured Nanomaterials

Safety Testing of a Representative Set of Manufactured Nanomaterials

Manufactured Nanomaterials and Test Guidelines.

Co-operation on Voluntary Schemes and Regulatory Programmes

Co-operation on Risk Assessment
OECD’s Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy has established a Working Party on
Nanotechnology (WPN) to look at the responsible development and use of nanotechnology and
the potential benefits nanotechnology can bring to society. The following projects are in the work
plan of the WPN:

Statistics and Measurement

Impacts and Business Environment

International Research Collaboration

Outreach and Public Engagement

Dialogue on Policy Strategies

The Contribution of Nanotechnology to Global Challenges
ISO has established Technical Committee 229. Currently the following 3 working groups have
been established: terminology and nomenclature; measurement and characterization; and, health,
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safety and environmental aspects of nanotechnology. 10 work items spread across these three
work areas are currently under development.
These above activities are complemented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) which is exploring societal and ethical issues associated with
nanotechnology (2006 report “The Ethics and Politics of Nanotechnology”;
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001459/145951e.pdf).
It is recommended to consider the different aspects related to the nanotechnology and
nanomaterials implications. IFCS, as a general framework is the right place and Forum VI the
right moment to present and discuss in depth so intricate issues, in a holistic approach.
II.
Objective of a plenary session on the topic
The objective will be to exchange information in order to help raise the awareness of participants
to the potential new opportunities, the new challenges and the new risks posed by nanotechnology.
The meeting will provide a forum to share information on known and emerging issues, on the
work of the OECD and ISO on nanotechnology and to foster an understanding of issues
(applications and implications). The Forum will also be an opportunity to discuss the potential
contributions of nanotechnology to sustainable development and to discuss how to achieve an
equitable distribution of benefits and risks and role of responsible stewardship in addressing
nanotechnology.
III.
Topics that would be considered by the Forum
1. What are nanotechnology and nanomaterials – a brief overview
2. Nomenclature, characterization, and metrology of nanomaterials - status and issues
3. Developments where nanotechnology may provide benefits to society and / or the
environment
4. Developments relevant to understanding the hazards and risks posed by nanomaterials
and nanotechnology and their potential for adverse impacts
5. Concern about nanotechnology and nanomaterials (social, ethical and legal issues) and
examination of their social and environmental utility (and how to do without them)
6. Developments in metrology
7. Developments in the use of safer substitutes and processes in nanotechnology
8. Developments in work place and product safety
9. Development of techniques to measure workplace exposure (including biomonitoring )
and adverse health outcomes (surveillance )
10. Developments in waste disposal of nanomaterials
11. National responses including regulatory programmes and potential regulatory triggers,
voluntary programmes and reporting schemes
12. International actions that may impact progress and health and safety regarding
nanotechnology, including civil society actions, private sector stewardship, labor actions
and financial sector pressures, and other actions that address progress and hazards
13. Issues of potential concern to developing countries or countries with economies in
transition
14. Global economic and trade issues relevant to nanotechnology and nanomaterials
15. Nanotechnology and cross-cutting issues, including poverty reduction, widening gap,
special vulnerability of children, illegal traffic and equity.
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IV.
Possible Forum actions
The Forum would provide a platform for information sharing. It is probably too early for the
Forum to develop recommendations beyond Forum VI.
V.
Plenary session structure (format, presentation(s), time (e.g. 90, 180 mins)
A full day plenary session supported by 6-8 speakers/presentations, including a discussion period,
where expectations and concerns can be expressed and discussed (In case of too many speakers,
an evening session could be considered for the plenary discussion).
Proposal for organization of work:
First half day
1. General introduction
 General introduction into the agenda item
 Nanotechnology, what is it, what are the potential applications and what is their social and
environmental utility?
 What are the EHS, societal, ethical and legal implications of nanotechnology and
nanomaterials?
 Case examples to demonstrate potential applications and implications
 Discussion
2. Experiences and concerns
 Presentation by an industry representative involved in nanotechnology
=> preferably from a company working in a developing country or country with an economy
in transition with nanotechnology, eg. two presentations, one from a developing and one from
a developed country
 Presentations from a government delegate from a developing country or a country with
economy in transition on their particular policy challenges
 Presentation from an environmental NGO on possible challenges including socioeconomic
and ecological issues surrounding new technologies that could have an impact on the world’s
poorest and most vulnerable
 Presentations from a labour/worker representative(s) on possible challenges
 Presentation from a corporation with leadership in developing safer alternatives within
nanoproducts production, use and disposal
 Current distribution of public and private sector resources with respect to R & D, technology
transfer, production, research on health and safety, and related factors that may impact equity,
benefits, and risks
 Discussion
2nd half day:
3. Relevant Activities in International Organizations
 Activities of the OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials
 Activities of the OECD Working Party on Nanotechnology
 Activities of ISO TC 229
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Discussion of controversies generated by actions of these groups to clarify where there is
consensus and where there is not
Methods to encourage and insure greater involvement of developing countries in these
organizations’ deliberations and decisions
Discussion
4. Plenary discussion– especially for developing countries or countries with economies in
transition – developing policy responses to promote responsible actions regarding
nanotechnology
VI.
Process for preparing – how the plenary session documents (decision, information and/or
thought starter) will be prepared.
Background information could be compiled from volunteer organizations / countries in advance.
Note: IOMC member organizations were invited to participate in groups drafting proposals on
topics in which their organization is actively working to inform discussion and avoid duplication
of work.
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