Overview of an internationally integrated nanotechnology governance

Abstract

Nanoscience and nanotechnologies (NTs) have huge potential to improve competitiveness and sustainable development across a wide range of industrial sectors. Public perception of NT related to health, safety and environment (HSE) is critical for the responsible development of NT. It warrants a regulatory regime to demonstrate to the general public whether NTs are safe with regard to HSE. This work explores the feasibility of legal metrology (LM) as a platform to address the impact of NT on legal and socio-economic aspects. It considers whether a LM framework needs to be developed for NT and the associated benefits and risks.