European Strategy for Nanotechnology

The European Commission recently issued two documents relating to nanotechnologies, inaugurating a new area of interest and exploring possible future regulation.

"Nanotechnology refers to science and technology at the nano-scale of atoms and molecules, and to the scientific principles and new properties that can be understood and mastered when operating in this domain. Such properties can then be observed and exploited at the micro- or macro-scale, for example, for the development of materials and devices with novel functions and performance."

Specifically, the Commission issued a preliminary risk analysis on nanotechnologies (NTs) based on a workshop, organized in Brussels by the European Commission's DG SANCO on March 1-2, 2004. The Commission subsequently also issued a Communication on a European Strategy for Nanotechnology (COM(2004)338 of May 12, 2004).