Nano-Safety or Nano-Security? Reassessing Europe's Nanotechnology Regulation in the Context of International Security Law

European Journal of Risk Regulation, Vol 3, 2012, pp. 416-421

ANU College of Law Research Paper No. 13-04

7 Pages Posted: 22 Jun 2013

See all articles by Hitoshi Nasu

Hitoshi Nasu

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Thomas Alured Faunce

Australian National University

Date Written: June 21, 2013

Abstract

The rapid development of nanotechnology over the last decade has resulted in a widespread introduction of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) into the consumer products of developed countries. Because of the potential toxicity of ENMs, however, concerns for health and environmental safety have led to controversial public debates in many countries as to whether and how the safety of products containing ENMs should be specifically ensured. In these regulatory debates, however, the role nanotechnology plays in addressing various contemporary security challenges is given little, if any, attention. This perspective article proposes that these contemporary security challenges should be more clearly incorporated into regulatory decision-making about nanotechnology, while protecting the public from potential health and environmental security threats that may result from exposure to a widespread and uncontrolled release of ENMs. It demonstrates the significance of enhancing this security perspective to nanotechnology regulation by: (1) highlighting international legal obligations relevant to nanotechnology; and (2) examining the current regulatory approaches adopted in Europe in light of various security considerations relevant to the implementation of those international legal obligations.

Suggested Citation

Nasu, Hitoshi and Faunce, Thomas Alured, Nano-Safety or Nano-Security? Reassessing Europe's Nanotechnology Regulation in the Context of International Security Law (June 21, 2013). European Journal of Risk Regulation, Vol 3, 2012, pp. 416-421, ANU College of Law Research Paper No. 13-04, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2282899

Hitoshi Nasu (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Thomas Alured Faunce

Australian National University ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200
Australia
61 2 61253563 (Phone)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
116
Abstract Views
830
Rank
430,305
PlumX Metrics