The FramingNano FP7 Project, which had the objective of developing proposals for a governance framework for nanotechnologies, formally concluded its work at the end of March 2010. This followed publication of the FramingNano Governance Platform and Executive Summary and a series of national workshops aimed at disseminating information about the outcomes of the project and discussing possible routes forward concerning principles and proposals outlined in the Governance Platform with key stakeholders at national level.

The final FramingNano Governance Platform is intended to provide an inclusive, continuous and adaptable framework to identify and assess challenges in the governance of nanotechnologies and to support decision-makers in their decision-making processes.

The proposed model has two key functional levels: a deliberative level and a decision-making level.

The deliberative level (or "deliberative panel") is geared around three key elements which provide means of how to create a common understanding of the challenges induced by nanotechnologies:

• a procedure dedicated to establish common assessment methodologies;
• an observatory function; and
• an advisory function

The deliberative level could in principle incorporate many of the existing organisations and groups currently tackling regulatory issues surrounding the research, manufacture, and disposal of nanomaterials, but in a more coherent and coordinated manner. This level/panel would then make recommendations to be approved at the decision-making level, the constitution and implementation of which would need to be the subject of further political agreement.

A number of common themes, ideas and information on national developments emerged from the six national workshops.

There was a broad agreement that the proposed governance model provided a useful heuristic overview of the challenges facing societies in balancing the undoubted benefits of nanotechnology with the perceived but sometimes unquantifiable risks associated with increased use of manufactured nanomaterials in a globalised world. It was also acknowledged that different countries and regions would need to adapt the model to suit their own cultures and legal and regulatory circumstances and traditions. The governance model was thought, however, to prompt many of the right questions concerning definitions, standards, metrics, methodology, etc. to enable this to move forward.

The need for a continuous and adaptive model of governance, as described in the Platform, was particularly acknowledged. It was considered, however, that implementing the Platform might bring a number of important challenges including:

• a potentially complicated and lengthy process of implementation (many stakeholders affected)
• the need to achieve sufficient international political will and momentum to result in a 'top-down' set of rules being developed in the short term
• avoiding unnecessary increases in bureaucracy

The Report and Executive Summary describing the FramingNano Governance Platform is available for download:

View FramingNano Final Report (PDF)

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