Posted: March 21, 2008

Nanotechnology standards panel holds strategy session on U.S. activities

(Nanowerk News) On March 12, 2008, an ANSI Nanotechnology Standards Panel (ANSI-NSP) strategy session helped educate U.S. Panel members about existing activities in the international standardization arena, develop a strategy for national coordination goals, and identify priority areas where U.S. leadership can be sought, retained, or strengthened.
Dr. Clayton Teague, chairman of the Panel, began the meeting by leading participants in a discussion of existing U.S.-domiciled activities. Taking a broader view of U.S. activities provided participants with an understanding of the various efforts underway outside of their particular area of specialty. Together, the group identified relationships among individual efforts and offered possible synergies and opportunities for greater coordination.
Participants next examined the international nanotechnology landscape and identified several opportunities for the U.S. to provide sector-specific leadership, including the development of science-based standards in the areas of health, safety, and the environment.
Finally, ANSI-NSP meeting participants reviewed proposed nanotechnology regulations and public health initiatives to determine how voluntary consensus standards can respond proactively to these issues. Because the Panel includes representation from a broad range of stakeholders including government agencies and various industry sectors, it offers a neutral venue to develop solutions that can be endorsed by both the public and private sectors.
Established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in 2004, the ANSI-NSP works to coordinate the development of voluntary, consensus standards for nanotechnology applications.
For information on becoming a member of the ANSI-NSP, contact Heather Benko, ANSI program administrator ([email protected]; 212.642.4912).
Source: ANSI