OECD Working Party on Nanotechnology

The OECD Working Party on Nanotechnology (WPN) is an intergovernmental forum for policy dialogue and collaboration concerning nanotechnology. Established in March 2007, its mandate is "to advise upon emerging policy issues in science, technology and innovation related to the responsible development of nanotechnology and to elaborate and implement a work program that promotes international co-operation to facilitate research, development and the responsible commercialization of nanotechnology in member countries and certain non-member economies".

The WPN is supported largely through voluntary contributions (financial or direct work) by member countries. It meets regularly to review the progress of its work program, approve new work proposals, and engage in policy dialogue on issues of shared interest. The WPN also organizes international conferences, roundtables, and workshops on policy-relevant topics concerning the development and application of nanotechnology. Canada is an active participant in WPN work. Industry Canada represents the Government of Canada at the WPN, supported by other interested federal departments and stakeholders.

Completed WPN reports and activities include:

• Inventory of National Science, Technology and Innovation Policies for Nanotechnology  (2008).

• Inventory of National Institutions for R&D Collaboration in Nanotechnology (2008).

• Nanotechnology: An Overview Based on Indicators and Statistics (2009)

• OECD Conference on Potential Environmental Benefits of Nanotechnology: Fostering Safe Innovation-Led Growth (2009).

• Policy Roundtable on Fostering International Scientific Cooperation in Nanotechnology  (2009)

• Risk Governance in Nanotechnology Policy Roundtable (2009)

• Impacts on Companies, Business Environments, and Policy: A Business Perspective (2010)

• Fostering Nanotechnology to Address Global Challenges: Water (2011)

• Planning Guide for Public Engagement and Outreach in Nanotechnology (2012)

• International Symposium on Assessing the Economic Impacts of Nanotechnology (2012)

For more information on the work program of the WPN, please visit the OECD WPN website or contact the Manufacturing and Life Sciences Branch of Industry Canada.

The OECD Working Party on Nanotechnology (WPN) is an intergovernmental forum for policy dialogue and collaboration concerning nanotechnology. Established in March 2007, its mandate is "to advise upon emerging policy issues in science, technology and innovation related to the responsible development of nanotechnology and to elaborate and implement a work program that promotes international co-operation to facilitate research, development and the responsible commercialization of nanotechnology in member countries and certain non-member economies".

The WPN is supported largely through voluntary contributions (financial or direct work) by member countries. It meets regularly to review the progress of its work program, approve new work proposals, and engage in policy dialogue on issues of shared interest. The WPN also organizes international conferences, roundtables, and workshops on policy-relevant topics concerning the development and application of nanotechnology. Canada is an active participant in WPN work. Industry Canada represents the Government of Canada at the WPN, supported by other interested federal departments and stakeholders.

Completed WPN reports and activities include:

• Inventory of National Science, Technology and Innovation Policies for Nanotechnology (2008).

• Inventory of National Institutions for R&D Collaboration in Nanotechnology (2008).

• Nanotechnology: An Overview Based on Indicators and Statistics (2009)

• OECD Conference on Potential Environmental Benefits of Nanotechnology: Fostering Safe Innovation-Led Growth (2009).

• Policy Roundtable on Fostering International Scientific Cooperation in Nanotechnology  (2009)

• Risk Governance in Nanotechnology Policy Roundtable (2009)

• Impacts on Companies, Business Environments, and Policy: A Business Perspective (2010)

• Fostering Nanotechnology to Address Global Challenges: Water (2011)

• Planning Guide for Public Engagement and Outreach in Nanotechnology (2012)

• International Symposium on Assessing the Economic Impacts of Nanotechnology (2012)

For more information on the work program of the WPN, please visit the OECD WPN website or contact the Manufacturing and Life Sciences Branch of Industry Canada.

You can also view summaries of some completed WPN reports: Inventory of National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policies for Nanotechnology 2008 and Nanotechnology: An Overview Based on Indicators and Statistics.