June 14, 2005 – The European Commission issued a release on Monday detailing the steps it believes are necessary to “keep Europe at the forefront of the fast-moving field of nanotechnology in a safe and responsible way.”

The proposed measures are:

• Boosting funding for nanotechnology in the Seventh Framework Program, including specific support for research into the impact on human health and the environment, and fostering technology platforms in certain key nanotechnology sectors such as nanomedicine, nanoelectronics or sustainable chemistry.

• Developing world-class competitive infrastructure for research and poles of excellence through investment, exchange of best practice and access to existing infrastructure.

• Creating favorable conditions for EU industry to turn research into useful products and services, such as workshops on commercialization, increased industrial involvement in research and working on common standards. A library of data and a patent monitoring system would be additional useful tools.

• Ensuring that ethical principles are always respected and citizens’ concerns and expectations are taken into account, through studies, information material and dialogue and the creation of an EU-level coordination point.

• Addressing public health, safety and environmental risks at the earliest possible stage, building risk assessment into the research and developing guidelines for such risk assessment. There will be a reassessment of existing EU legislation to ensure that the specific nature of nanotechnology is fully addressed. The Commission will also support the creation of a free and open archive of scientific and technical publications in the field.

• Promoting the interdisciplinary education and training of researchers and engineers, focusing on the practical applications of nanotechnology as well as wider implications for society. This will include a workshop and development of courses and curricula. A European Award for nanotechnology would help to highlight best practice.

• Strengthening international dialogue on common issues such as nomenclature and toxicology.

“Europe needs to invest in knowledge to maintain its competitive edge in the global economy…” said European Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potoènik, in a prepared statement. “Nanotechnology has enormous potential for European industry and for society in general, so a clear strategy and decisive action is needed for research in this area.”