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European Commission plans to develop a new Nanotechnology Action Plan
Published: Thursday 10 December 2009
The European Commission has published the notes and supporting documents of the Swedish Presidency Nanotechnology Event – “Nanotechnologies for Sustainable Development” (held on the 12th November 2009 in Brussels).
Focussed on the completion of the term of the European Commission’s ‘Nanosciences and nanotechnologies: An action plan for Europe 2005-2009’ (and corresponding publication of the 2nd Implementation Plan ), the event under the auspices of the Swedish EC Presidency drew 100 delegates to Brussels, in order to consider the way ahead, with particular regard to the issues of nanotechnologies in relation to sustainable development.
The Swedish State Secretary Elisabet Falemo opened the meeting by calling upon the nanotechnology community to:
- Close the knowledge gap
- Update test methods and guidelines on harmful properties and exposure.
- Identify products in the marketplace.
- Consider incentives to help guide actors in the direction of sustainable applications.
- Strengthen international cooperation
Herbert von Bose, Director of the Industrial Technologies group at DG Research, presented the 2nd Implementation Report and opened the discussion on the way ahead by promotion of the following key issues:
- Deeper research efforts and roadmaps for key nanotechnology sectors, to enhance innovation, competitiveness and safety.
- Further development of infrastructures and the educational system, consistent with the multidisciplinary character of nanotechnology.
- Stronger mechanisms for industrial innovation, stressing the concept of open innovation and facilitating technology transfer for sustainable growth.
- More direct, focused and continuous implementation of societal dialogue; and monitoring
- public opinion and the issues related to consumer, environmental and worker protection.
- Continuing review of regulation, engaging where possible with international developments, and adapting as appropriate the implementation instruments.
- Survey of markets for products of nanotechnology, their safety aspects, and likely developments.
- Increased research effort on safety assessment and risk management, including further
- development and validation of materials characterisation and test methods.
Steffi Friedrichs, Director General of the Nanotechnology Industries Association, presented the ‘Perspectives from Industry’, by alerting the delegates to the main challenges to an advancement of nanotechnologies and outlining the following recommendations to address the described shortcomings; recommendations to address these shortcomings are to:
- foster technology transfer in support of EU supply-chains (including coordination of R&D funding between EU Member States
- foster (multidisciplinarity in) education in sciences and technologies & make careers in sciences and technologies more attractive
- enhance public knowledge and understanding of nanotechnologies through balanced communication, including benefits & risks
- encourage higher investment in private funding
- strengthen integration of experimental research, innovation and industrial exploitation into European R&D strategies
- support research-intensive innovations trough provision ‘pre-competitive collaboration platforms’
- provide clear guidance on regulatory requirements (‘proactive, scientific advice throughout all stages of policy development and delivery’)
- create a climate of favourable trade conditions (cf. ‘Global Europe strategy’)
The event concluded (amongst other actions) that ‘[t]he presentations have highlighted the complexity of the nanotechnology scene and the need for a strengthening of the integrated, safe and responsible European strategy and action. In this context, the Commission's intention to develop a new nanotechnology action plan for the next five years, which will be crucial in directing Europe’s future nanotechnology development, is timely and welcome.’
Follow this link to download the full summary of the Swedish Presidency event.