As part of the 2005 Action Plan for Nanotechnology, the European Commission has adopted seven principles that will guide research in that field. The principles are: meaning; sustainability; precaution; inclusiveness; excellence; innovation and accountability. The EC adopted these principles following the results of its July 2007 consultation on the Code of Conduct. Their aim is to minimize the potential hazards of nanotechnology research, provide transparency to the public and guarantee high quality scientific work that will lead to important technologies.
The European Commission is the world’s largest single funding agency for nanotechnology and nanosciences research, with 1.4 billion Euros allocated to 550 projects. More information on its nanotechnology initiatives is available here.
See the original press release here.