Nanotechnology is an important and rapidly growing field of scientific and practical innovation that will fundamentally transform our understanding of how materials and devices interact with human and natural environments.
These transformations may offer great benefits to society, such as improvements in medical diagnostics and treatments, water and waste treatment systems, and many others. However, the social, economic, political and ethical implications, as well as the risks, are also significant.
In fact, nanotechnology raises issues that are more complex and far-reaching than many other innovations and poses significant challenges to risk governance structures and processes.
IRGC’s projects on Nanotechnology are designed to help address these challenges.
Projects
European Project on Nanotechnology Risk Governance
In 2019 started a Horizon 2020 project, NANORIGO (NANOtechnology RIsk GOvernance), (2019—2023), which was tasked with developing a Risk Governance Framework (RGF) and a Risk Governance Organisational Form (NRGOF) for manufactured nanomaterials and nano-enabled products (read more).
Nanotechnology Risk Governance
IRGC first addressed the risk governance of nanotechnology in a project which began in early 2005. Using the IRGC’s risk governance framework as a conceptual starting point and with the contribution of experts at two technical workshops, the project team (read more).
Nanotechnology in Food and Cosmetics
IRGC started to work on its second nanotechnology project in 2007, focusing specifically on nanotechnology applications in food and cosmetics, which has become a cause of concern for consumers and the public (read more)
Downloads
- Appropriate Risk Governance Strategies for Nanotechnology Applications in Food and Cosmetics (Policy Brief, 2009) (pdf)
- Risk Governance of Nanotechnology Applications in Food and Cosmetics (Report, 2008) (pdf)
- Nanotechnology Risk Governance (Policy Brief, 2007) (pdf)
- Nanotechnology Risk Governance (White Paper, 2006) (pdf)