Small size - large impact - Nanowerk

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International Council on
Nanotechnology (ICON)
Mark Lafranconi
50 Mark Lanfranconi, The International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON) was formed in the fall of 2004
Proctor & Gamble,
to assess, reduce, and communicate the environmental and health risks of nanotechnology.
represented ICON, the ICON was constructed as a multi-stakeholder group to bring together the interests
International Council
on Nanotechnology
of government officials, industrialists, academicians and civil society organizations
at a shared table for dialogue and action. The council will undertake projects in
three areas: research on nanotechnology and risk, policy guidance through product
stewardship and the formation of global standards, and communication to and
with a variety of audiences. The council is administered within the National Science
Foundation Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology at Rice
University in Houston, Texas, US.
Strengths of the council include an in-depth technical understanding of and capability
in nanomaterial production and characterization, an inclusive approach to dialogues
that involves the voices of a variety of stakeholder groups, an international basis and
an ability to respond quickly to emerging needs. As a novel organization seeking to
create a new paradigm for emerging technology stewardship, the council faces some
challenges in managing the needs of diverse participants, bridging international
boundaries and creating a unique identity.
To meet these challenges, a core group of initial participants met in October 2004
at Rice University. Out of this meeting came a commitment by the group to perform
a gap analysis to identify needs that may be addressed with council resources, work
toward developing a standard of care for industry as well as globally adopted standards for
terminology and nomenclature of nanomaterials, and create a communication plan that
will provide science-based information on nanomaterial risk to a variety of audiences.