Responsible Nano Code UPDATE (May 2008):
During Meeting SEVEN (13th May 2008), the Working Group decided to publish a Responsible Nano Code Update, as well as additional Information on the Responsible Nano Code.
Follow this link to view the new Draft Work Plan.
Background to the Responsible NanoCode
In November 2006, the Royal Society, Insight Investment and the Nanotechnology Industries Association (NIA) came together to explore the societal and economic impact of the technical, social and commercial uncertainties related to nanotechnologies.
The three organisations began this process by convening a business-focused workshop that stimulated companies to engage more fully with the broad spectrum of questions which affect the development of nanotechnologies; the workshop brought together seventeen European companies with a commercial interest in nanotechnology - from food and chemicals manufacturers to retailers of healthcare and fashion. The background of the workshop was laid out in the commissioned briefing paper: An Uncertain Business: The technical, social and commercial challenges presented by nanotechnology.
One of the main outcomes of the workshop was a unanimous agreement on the requirements for a voluntary Code of Conduct for businesses engaged in nanotechnology. It was felt that such a Code should be principles based rather than standards based and would be developed through a process of engagement between a representative group of businesses from various stages of different supply chains and a wide range of stakeholders, including NGOs, government and consumer groups. Follow this link to download the full Workshop Report.
Following the success of the workshop, the three organisations agreed to take forward one of the key recommendations that emerged from the discussions: and decided to facilitate the development of a voluntary Code of Conduct for Responsible Nanotechnology ("Responsible NanoCode"). The three organisations were joined by the Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network - an initiative sponsored by the UK government's Department of Trade and Industry. These four organisations are now referred to as the Founding Partners.