Last Update: 01.01.2012

Expert Dialogue events on nanotechnologies

NanoDialogue history

As part of its Nano Action Plan, the German Federal Government established the NanoKommission in 2006 as a central national platform for dialogue. The NanoKommission’s mandate was to foster exchange among stakeholders in society on the opportunities and risks presented by nanotechnologies and in doing so help to ensure responsible and sustainable use of nanomaterials.

The NanoKommission carried out its work in two dialogue phases (2006–2008 and 2009–2011), each concluding with a Report and Recommendations to the Federal Government. The NanoKommission comprised around 20 members representing a variety of stakeholder groups. In each of the dialogue phases working groups and/or issue groups were set up to support the work of the NanoKommission and debate particular issues in greater depth. A total of more than 100 experts were engaged on a voluntary basis in the debate on issues surrounding the responsible use of nanomaterials.

When the second dialogue phase drew to a close, the NanoDialogue participants agreed that it would be more appropriate and desirable to tackle the issues at stake using a different approach for conducting dialogue, by holding issue-based events.

Background and aims of Expert Dialogue events

Acting on the NanoKommission’s recommendation, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) plans to run four Expert Dialogue events on issues relating to nanotechnologies. This will provide a means to revisit areas covered in the previous dialogue phases, engage with these in more depth and address emerging issues within a stakeholder forum.

The first two events will be aimed at revisiting two key issues addressed by the NanoKommission and continuing the discussion on these in relation to the current context: "Tools for evaluation and risk management of nanomaterials and nanoproducts", and "Traceability of nanomaterials". The third Expert Dialogue event is aimed at addressing issues relating to “Sustainable nanotechnologies - green nano". The final event will analyse and summarise the results of the other dialogue events, assess the potential of research as a location factor in an international perspective, and draw conclusions.

Framework for Expert Dialogue events 2011/2012

Each Expert Dialogue event will take place over two consecutive days at BMU premises in Berlin. Around 20 representatives from stakeholder groups, sector ministries and authorities will be invited to participate. The BMU will publish reports on the issues covered, which will include the outcomes of the Expert Dialogue events. The focus of discussion at these events will be to identify where each of the issues in question fits in the socio-political context.

Topics and dates for Expert Dialogue events

Expert Dialogue	Topic	Dates	Information (in German only)
ED 1	"Risk management in the nano world"	01.12. - 02.12.2011	Results Report
ED 2	"Sustainable nanotechnologies – green nano"	21.02. - 22.02.2012	Report Background
ED 3	"Nachhaltigkeit von Nanotechnologien - green nano"	12.06. - 13.06.2012	Report Background
ED 4	"Potential of research as a location factor "	16.10. - 17.10.2012	Results Background