Current Codes of Practice / Conduct for working with nanotechnologies
Codes of Practice (CoP) and Codes of Conduct (CoC) provide stakeholders with guidelines that support a responsible and open approach to research in their given field. These codes are typically supplementary to existing regulations, and should be used to compliment such legal frameworks.
Two CoP/CoCs published to date have been identified as key to nanosciences and nanotechnologies. These codes aim to establish a consensus of what constitutes good practice, and provide guidance on what organisations can do to demonstrate responsible governance of this evolving area of technology. In addition, they encourage stakeholders to consider all aspects of their involvement with nanotechnologies, including the broader social and ethical issues. As such, their implementation should assist in responsible development of nanosciences and nanotechnologies in order to meet their potential to deliver health, environmental, social and economic benefits.
The codes are outlined below, together with a brief summary of their content. Detailed information may be obtained from the codes themselves, for which a link to their respective websites has been provided.
This voluntary Code of Conduct provides European Member States, employers, research funders, researchers and more generally all individuals and civil society organisations involved or interested in nanosciences and nanotechnologies (N&N) research with guidelines favouring a responsible and open approach to N&N research in the European Community (EC). It is intended to be complementary to existing regulations.
The code is set out according to a number of key principles, as follows:
- Meaning: Comprehensibility of research activities to the public;
- Sustainability: Undertaking of safe, ethical research which contributes to sustainable development;
- Precaution: Conducting research in accordance with the precautionary principle, anticipating potential EHS impacts and taking due precautions;
- Inclusiveness: Guidance of research activities by the principles of openness, transparency and respect for the legitimate right of access to information;
- Excellence: Undertaking research which meets the best scientific standards, including those underpinning integrity of research and relating to Good Laboratory Practices;
- Innovation: Governance of research to encourage maximum creativity, flexibility and planning ability for innovation and growth;
- Accountability: Researchers remaining accountable for the social, environmental and human health impacts that their research may impose on present and future generations.
The Responsible NanoCode is intended to be a voluntary, principles-based Code, which is appropriate for adoption by organisations of all sizes involved in the research, development, manufacturing and retailing of products using nanotechnologies. It was developed through an inclusive process which engaged with multiple stakeholders, including SAFENANO. The NanoCode describes what was considered to be a consensus of what constitutes good practice and provides guidance on actions organisations can undertake to demonstrate responsible governance.
The NanoCode is focussed around Seven Principles that are central to the responsible development of nanotechnologies. Specifically, the NanoCode recommends that each organisation should:
- Ensure that responsibility for guiding and managing its involvement with nanotechnologies resides with the Board or governing body;
- Proactively engage with its stakeholders and be responsive to their views in its development or use of products using nanotechnologies;
- Identify and minimise sources of risk for workers handling products using nanotechnologies, at all stages in the production process or in industrial use, to ensure high standards of occupational health and safety;
- Carry out thorough risk assessments and minimise any potential public health, safety and environmental risks relating to its products using nanotechnologies;
- Consider and respond to any social and ethical implications and impacts in the development or sale of products using nanotechnologies;
- Adopt responsible practice in the sales and marketing of products using nanotechnologies;
- Engage with suppliers and/or business partners to encourage and stimulate their adoption of the Code and so assure its own ability to fulfil its Code commitments.
For each Principle, suggested ‘Indicators of Good Practice’ are outlined. Such principles are relevant for organisations involved throughout the lifecycle of nano-enabled products.
The Code is not intended to supersede or undermine the evolving regulatory processes. Rather, it is designed to provide guidance on best practice for organisations during the transitional period while the appropriate national and international regulatory frameworks are being evaluated and, if necessary, developed, and to complement any existing regulation.