The Government is
today publishing a cross-departmental strategy to ensure the UK
has a safe, sustainable and dynamic nanotechnologies industry.
The global market in nanotechnologies is expected to grow from
$2.3 billion in 2007 to $81 billion in 2015**. They have enormous
potential in a range of areas - from environmental protection to
healthcare.
Nanotechnologies are important in improving water purification
systems and for producing more powerful computers. Scientists are
using them to develop time-controlled and targeted drug delivery,
and to design more efficient solar cells and diesel engines.
There is a considerable body of research being undertaken on the
environmental health and safety aspects of nanotechnologies both
in the UK and globally. For example, HPA launched the National
Nanotoxicology Research Centre in late 2009, and FSA has
commissioned research projects looking at nanoparticles in food.
The UK Nanotechnologies Strategy will
aim to focus UK work in
this area to add to the growing evidence base.
The strategy was developed by five Government departments and
agencies, and follows a period of consultation with industry and
consumer groups. It represents a single plan of action.
Key actions include:
- Chief Scientific Advisers to review coordination of
nanotechnology research across Government including research on
safety issues;
- A new website to keep the public informed about Government work
on nanotechnologies;
- A new Nanotechnologies Collaboration Group to facilitate
ongoing communication and collaboration between Government,
academia, industry and other interested parties;
- A new ministerially led Nanotechnologies Leadership Group to
address barriers to commercial growth in this area; and
- Government to explore a new industry reporting scheme with a
broader scope covering nanomaterials as well as products
containing them.
Science and Innovation Minister Lord Drayson said:
"Nanotechnologies play a vital role in creating new
medicines and providing safe drinking water in developing
countries. The UK has much to gain from developing these
technologies further. This strategy is all about ensuring that the
millions being spent on nanotech produce an industry as safe as it
is profitable."
Dan Norris, Minister for Rural Affairs and Environment said:
"Nanotechnology is an exciting science. Not only can it
bring real benefits to the economy and society but also,
potentially, to the environment. Research has shown that it may be
able to help detect environmental pollutants and even remove them
from contaminated sites.However we must be aware of and understand
the potential risks and know how to manage them."
Gilian Merrion, Minister of State for Public Health said:
"This area of new technology presents great potential to
protect health in the future through new and revolutionary
treatments. We need to take advantage of the opportunities these
new technologies
might hold, whilst at the same time providing
consumers with full confidence that these new products are safe."
Lord McKenzie, Department for Work and Pensions Parliamentary
Under Secretary (Lords) said:
"The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) welcomes launch
of the strategy, which makes a timely contribution to the
Government's approach to the handling of new
technologies.
"Working with partners HSE aims to develop a sensible
risk-based approach for the regulation of these new technologies
so that UK industry can fully maximise the benefits, whilst
ensuring that
workers and users are protected."
Notes to editors
1. The UK Nanotechnologies Strategy is available at http://interactive.bis.gov.uk/nano.
2. The strategy was developed following an evidence gathering
exercise carried out in 2009. For full details of the exercise are
available at http://interactive.bis.gov.uk/nano.
3. The number of nanotechnology products on the market has risen
from approximately 210 in 2006 to around 800 in 2010*.
- Source: OECD (2009) Nanotechnology: An overview based on
indicators and statistics; working paper 2009/
**Source:Nanomaterials and Markets 2008 - 2015, Nanopost, quoted
in
Nanoscale Technologies Strategy 2009 - 12, Technology
Strategy Board,September 2009
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Adrian Bradley
Phone: 020 7215 5080
adrian.bradley@bis.gsi.gov.uk