Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Debate on Governance Initiatives for the European Nanotechnology Community in the Public and Private Sectors

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Abstract:
Date: Wednesday, 5 December 2007, 10.30-17:00

Venue: European Commission

Marsveldstraat 21 rue du Champ de Mars

Brussels, Belgium

Rooms SDR 1-2 (floor -1)

Agenda: http://www.euronanotrade.com/news/Agenda_CodeEvent.pdf

Debate on Governance Initiatives for the European Nanotechnology Community in the Public and Private Sectors

Brussels, Belgium | Posted on November 13th, 2007

The Programme:

This debate will allow participants to be informed about, and discuss, two proposed Codes of Conduct concerning nanotechnology research and commercialisation.

The European Commission will give information on the results of a public consultation on Responsible Research in Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies. Another initiative being presented, The Responsible Nano Code, has been developed for businesses involved in the manufacturing, use and retail of nano-enabled products, by a multi-stakeholder group of international businesses, academics and NGOs run from the UK.

The workshop will also include the experience of the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington, DC, which has provided a US forum for discussion of the Responsible Nano Code; and the views of a coalition of international NGOs encapsulated in the Principles for the Oversight of Nanotechnologies.

This programme will also draw upon the practical experience of BASF after three years of working with its own internal Code and the appropriateness of such codes for small and medium sized enterprises outlined by ENTA. International lawyers Mayer Brown will explore the legal aspects of introducing Codes of Conduct.

The event aims to bring together businesses, academics and NGOs involved with nanotechnologies and is designed to allow significant time for discussion and debate.

Participation:

Up to 80 places are available for this workshop. Interested participants are kindly requested to contact Dr Nicholas Deliyanakis (EC) by e-mail ( ) as soon as possible. Confirmation will be given on a first-come-first-served principle, taking into consideration the representation of various categories of stakeholder.

References:

EC consultation paper:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/consultations/pdf/nano-consultation_en.pdf (consultation closed on 21 September 2007)

The Responsible Nano Code: http://www.responsiblenanocode.org

*Please note that the meeting is not aimed at developing another code.