Technology assessment and nanotechnologies

Researchers bring partners from science, industry, politics and society together around one table

Nanotechnologies have become a key priority in the field of technology assessment in recent years. Scientists in several of the Oeko-Institut’s research divisions are working on the responsible use of nanotechnologies and their products.

The Oeko Institute assesses existing technologies and developments relating to new technologies in collaboration with partners from science, politics, industry and civic groups. Close liaison ensures that environmental, economic, legal and social considerations can be integrated into the research process at an early stage and taken into account throughout the product’s life cycle.

Work focuses on identifying opportunities and risks at an early stage and on analysing and assessing technologies based on comparison with reference technologies. Consideration of sustainability objectives is an important goal throughout this process. The institute advises policy-makers on the different options for making vital amendments or tightening up provisions in the legislative framework. Research conducted by the institute in this field is used by companies and industry associations to develop innovative, sustainable products and processes.

Nanotechnology projects and research programmes

In the field of nanotechnology, over the past few years the institute has developed comprehensive methods and tools to help assess products and draft legislation as regards their sustainability.

Nanoproduct register – trust and transparency

Establishing a register of nanoproducts is both legally feasible and necessary according to the conclusions reached by a feasibility study carried out by the institute. The study also called for greater transparency and risk prevention. The researchers’ findings were based on an analysis of existing legislative provisions in Germany and the European Union (EU) relating to products which contain nanomaterials. They established that there was a lack of specific provisions concerning reporting and labelling of these products. On the basis of these findings, the institute recommended a phased introduction of mandatory reporting for nanomaterials and products and discussed various options for regulation at EU level.

Click here to view the institute’s legal feasibility study on a nanoproduct register.

Sustainability check for nanoproducts: radar for nanoproducts with a future

The project “Sustainability Check for Nanoproducts”, a collaborative initiative of the institute and industry partners BASF and Nanogate, is developing a tool that will help to ensure that nanoproduct innovations progress in an positive direction in sustainability terms. This tool is aimed at enabling companies to carry out data-driven self-assessment of their nanoproducts’ sustainability during the development stage and when placing products on the market. Most importantly, this tool provides a method for product developers to assess their products systematically as regards sustainability considerations. Following an initial public airing in mid-2011, preparations are currently under way for the launch of the Sustainability Check for Nanoproducts.

Click here to view the institute’s leaflet “Nano-NachhaltigkeitsCheck. Integrierte Nachhaltigkeitsbewertung und strategische Optimierung von Nanoprodukten“ (Sustainability Check for Nanoproducts. Integrated sustainability assessment and strategic optimisation of nanoproducts) (German language)

Legal report to foster a precautionary approach

In collaboration with the Society for Institutional Analysis (sofia), experts from the institute produced a legal report on nanotechnologies (Rechtsgutachten zu Nanotechnologien – ReNaTe) on behalf of the German Federal Environment Ministry. Based on the current state of technological development, the researchers examined environmental legislation currently in force in relation to the entire life cycle of products manufactured using nanotechnologies. Wherever regulatory gaps were identified, the researchers produced proposals for draft provisions setting out a differentiated approach for dealing with nanomaterials based on the precautionary principle.

Click here to view the institute’s legal report ReNaTe (German language)

Nanotechnologies for medicine and cosmetics?

The CONANO dialogue project involved conducting a risk-benefit analysis of nano-delivery systems for medicines and cosmetics. Researchers from the institute worked in collaboration with businesses operating in this sector, Novartis and Ciba Specialty Chemicals, with the Austrian Institute of Ecology (Österreichisches Ökologie Institut) and the Risk Dialogue Foundation. Based on a critical analysis of various development scenarios and on the current state of knowledge, the researchers put forward recommendations for action for businesses and public authorities. The study also set out potential approaches to enable multi-stakeholder evaluation of new developments in nanotechnology.

Click here for more details of the institute’s CONANO project (German language)

Nanomaterials in the food sector?

What opportunities and risks are associated with the use of manufactured nanomaterials in foods and food packaging? This was the question posed by experts from the institute in a study carried out on behalf of the Swiss Centre for Technology Assessment (TA-SWISS). The researchers took a scientific and value-based approach to analysing the issues. Products identified on the market were examined from the perspective of health, the environment, the law and society. By way of conclusion, the study made concrete recommendations regarding ways in which manufacturers should exercise their product responsibility.

Click here to view the institute’s study “Nanotechnology in the Food Sector” (German language)

Nano guidelines for the paint and printing ink industry

Guidelines for the paint and printing ink sector produced by researchers at the institute on behalf of Hessen-Agentur (the agency for economic development of the federal state of Hesse) set out specific instructions relating to the use of nanomaterials in the paint and printing ink industry. These include recommendations for environmental protection and occupational health and safety: optimising facilities and processes, identifying sensible precautionary measures, minimising entry of nanoparticles into the environment.

Click here to view the institute’s Guidelines for the safe use of nanomaterials in printing inks and paints (Leitfaden Sichere Verwendung von Nanomaterialien in Farben und Lacken) (German language)

Dialogue to enhance transparency and safety

The institute is also actively involved in dialogue platforms such as the Federal Government’s ongoing NanoDialog. This process is being taken forward at present in dialogue among experts and in international standardisation bodies, including the technical committees of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO TC 229) and the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN).

Go to the web pages of ISO TC 229

Go to the web pages of CEN TC 352

Further information on nanotechnologies

Institute of Applied Ecology Position Paper: Chancen der Nanotechnologien nutzen! Risiken rechtzeitig erkennen und vermeiden! (Making the most of opportunities and recognising and avoiding risks arising from nanotechnologies) (German language)

Broschüre „Nano Maßstäbe“ (Leaflet on standards relating to nanotechnologies.)
Innovation mit Verantwortung Wege für den nachhaltigen Umgang mit einer Zukunftstechnologie (Responsible innovation – Pathways to sustainable use of emerging technologies) (German language)

Outcomes of the institute’s 2010 Annual Conference: Nanotechnologies
Conference dossier, summary of conference presentations, images (German language)

Nanotechnologies: An opportunity for sustainability?
E-Paper of the Institute of Applied Ecology, eco@work, August 2010 issue

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