In efforts to provide broad input to project in numerous OECD areas, the BIAC Expert Group on Nanotechnology issued a “vision paper” detailing business views on the future of nanotechnology. The paper, entitled “Responsible Development of Nanotechnology: Turning Vision into Reality”, outlines the major benefits that could stand to be accrued through the use of nanotechnology across different economic sectors, and is intended to serve as guidance as international nanotechnology policy is debated and formulated.

OECD business notes that nanotechnology could play a significant role in helping to ensure energy security, food security, clean water provision, improved healthcare, pollution remediation and enhanced communications. At the same time, BIAC outlines some of the potential challenges facing nanotechnology development in coming years, such as environmental, health and safety issues, human resources, intellectual property rights, oversight issues, and marketing and consumer issues.

BIAC calls on OECD leadership to continue to offer strong support for the ground-breaking work currently being carried out with respect to nanotechnology, and includes in its vision paper some priority areas for future work.

For more information about BIAC’s work on nanotechnology, please contact Hanni Rosenbaum or Jonathan Greenhill at the BIAC Secretariat.