Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety
Global Partnerships for Chemical Safety
Contributing to the 2020 Goal
Proposed
The Dakar Declaration on
Nanotechnology and Manufactured
Nanomaterials
Submitted by the lead sponsor:
G. Karlaganis, FOEN
Switzerland
ROOM DOCUMENT
2 June 2008
Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety
Sixth Session – Forum VI
15 – 19 September 2008
Room Document
2 June 2008
Nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials1: global partnerships for action
Proposed
The Dakar Declaration on Nanotechnology and Manufactured Nanomaterials
Having met in Dakar at the invitation of the Government of Senegal at the sixth session of the
Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety from 15-19 September 2008,
Recognizing the potential benefits, new opportunities, challenges, hazards and risks of
nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials,
Acknowledging the need to raise the awareness on the potential opportunities, challenges and
risks posed by nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials,
Taking into account the ongoing work of international organisations such as OECD, ISO,
UNESCO and other international organizations, as relevant, ongoing national and regional
approaches and activities including those of nongovernmental organizations,
Also recognizing that current efforts to reduce releases of nanotechnology products and
manufactured nanomaterials have not yet fully addressed the global risks and need to be
expanded and adequately supported.
Stressing the need to ensure contributions of nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials
to sustainable development and pollution prevention to achieve the 2020 goal,
Underlining the necessity to embed adequately risk assessment and risk management
strategies into work in this area,
Recognising the need for research and research strategies to support better analysis on the
potential risks on human health and the environment,
In order to strive to achieve an equitable distribution of benefits and the minimization of risks
of nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials,
Taking into account the special needs and situations of developing countries and countries in
transition,
The Forum recommends the following actions, taking into account the special situation of
developing countries and countries in economic transition, including international cooperation
for capacity building and technology transfer.
Encourages governments and industry to consider the application of the precautionary
approach in the development of nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials.
1.
2. Call for governments and stakeholders to initiate dialogue with all stakeholders to consider
the potential benefits and risks of nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials;
Requests governments, international organizations and other stakeholders to make tailormade and adequate social, scientific and political information readily available and accessible
to all stakeholders including the general public to raise awareness on nanotechnology and
manufactured nanomaterials in order to prepare for informed decisions.
3.
1
As used in this declaration, the terminology "nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials"
includes, as relevant, nanoscience and products containing manufactured nanomaterials.
Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety
Sixth Session – Forum VI
15 – 19 September 2008
Room Document
2 June 2008
Invite NGO’s and their networks to play an important role in supporting governmental
actions, distribution of knowledge and facilitating democratic participation in decisionmaking regarding new technologies, including nanotechnology.
4.
Requests researchers and academics to identify gaps in knowledge that may be necessary
to evaluate effectively the potential risks and benefits of nanotechnology.
5.
Invite researchers of technology development and of health and safety and the medical
community to cooperate on existing and planned the relevant research programmes.
6.
To share information on research strategies in support of better analysis on potential risks
on human health and the environment.
7.
Invite industry to incorporate into their responsible stewardship programmes the health,
safety, occupational and environmental aspects of nanotechnology and manufactured
nanomaterials including further cooperative approaches between industry and other
stakeholders.
8.
Requests industry to institute adequate occupational health and safety programmes
including monitoring in the work place;
9.
10. Encourage governments together with all relevant stakeholders to promote and share
information on product-related monitoring systems;
11. Invite countries and organizations actively working in the area to undertake voluntary
actions on partnership to assist developing countries and countries in transition to build
scientific and technical expertise related to the benefits of nanotechnology and manufactured
nanomaterials;
12. Invite international organizations and institutions to cooperate in implementing activities
within their respective mandates.
13. Encourage governments and nongovernmental organizations to cooperate in the
preparation of national codes of conducts assisted by relevant international organization.
14. Invite governments, international organizations and nongovernmental organizations to
consider the possibility of developing a Global Code of Conduct.
15. Call upon governments, international organizations and nongovernmental organizations,
industry and other stakeholders that are in a position to do so, to support these activities.
16. Invite ICCM and other relevant organisations to consider these recommendations.