News & Comment

There is a growing literature on the use of science to inform decisions on the environmental, health and safety implications of nanotechnology, but little has been published by those who make such decisions. Here, as officials of the US Environmental Protection Agency, the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, we discuss the types of decision facing government regulators, the new considerations nanotechnology brings to decision-making, the role of science in informing decisions, how regulators cooperate internationally on policy issues, and the challenges that lie ahead.

It is essential to recognize the heterogeneous nature of 'the public' in engagement activities and to treat people as citizens rather than as mere laypersons, consumers or stakeholders.

New regulations concerning nanomaterials should consider the details of individual materials, applications and environments to avoid generalizations that might stifle the entire field.

An online survey shows that most researchers do not use suitable personal and laboratory protection equipment when handling nanomaterials that could become airborne.