Shaping UK Nanotechnology Strategy - Government Call

Lord Drayson, Science and Innovation Minister and chair of the Ministerial Group on Nanotechnologies, has called on industry and interested groups to get involved in shaping a UK strategy for nano technologies.

Industry, academia and consumer groups are invited to use a new website to help develop the strategy, building on and consolidating the existing research and consultations that have already taken place.

The website will gather views on core issues including research, regulation, innovation and commercialisation, measurement and standards and information as well as on the anticipated impact of nanotechnologies on

a wide range of sectors.

The aim of the strategy is to describe the actions necessary to ensure that the UK obtains maximum economic, environmental and societal benefit from nanotechnologies while keeping the risks properly managed.

Science and Innovation Minister Lord Drayson, said:

"The Government has made clear the need for responsible development of nano - technologies. This new website will let everyone be involved in developing a new UK Strategy by February next year. This will address the exploitation of technologies and management of potential risks."

Lord Drayson launched the strategy development process with his colleagues iin Defra, DH and DWP. The website is available for contributions until 31st October 2009. A summary of responses will be published by

the end of the year, with the final strategy published in 2010.

Visit www.interactive.bis.gov.uk/nano