Nanotechnology and International Law Research Guide

By Md. Ershadul Karim, Abu Bakar bin Munir, and Siti Hajar Mohd Yasin

 

Md. Ershadul Karim is a PhD Candidate in Nanotechnology Law and Policy, Faculty of Law, University of Malaya, Malaysia.

Abu Bakar bin Munir is a Professor and former Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Malaya, Malaysia.

Siti Hajar Mohd Yasin is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.

 

Published May/June 2014
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Table of Contents

 

1. Introduction

Nanotechnology is the next wonder after the internet and is referred to as the third industrial revolution. The word ‘nano’ derives from Greek word ‘nanos’, meaning ‘dwarf’ ‘very small man’. This word is used to mean a scale of measurement. Because of number of reasons, it has turned to be the wave of the future and world community is in a race to take lead in this area. The regulatory discussion on nanotechnology mostly rotates around the study of chemical legislation and safety, etc.

For the introductory discussion on nanoscience and nanotechnology, visit European Commission supported project Nanoyou , nanotechnology education resources.

 

2. Historical Development

The modern history of nanotechnology is considered to be started with the lecture of the Noble laureate Richard Feynman titled ‘ There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom ’, delivered at a lecture in a meeting of the American Physical Society at the California Institute of Technology in 1959. Tokyo Science University Professor Norio Taniguchi coined the term nanotechnology.

An authoritative history of nanotechnology development from the 4 th Century till date can be found here .

For the historical perspective on use of nanomaterials, please visit read Sciau, P. (2012). Nanoparticles in ancient materials: the metallic luster decoration of medieval ceramics . In A. A. Hashim (Ed.), The Delivery of Nanoparticles: InTech.

 

3. Nanotechnology Databases

 

4. International Law

4.1 United Nations

 

4.2 European Initiatives

 

5. International and Non-Governmental Organizations and Nanotechnology

 

6. Risk Assessment and Risk Management

 

7. Nanotechnology and Standardization

 

8. Nanotechnology and Trade Union

 

9. Centers on Responsible and Sustainable use Development of Nanotechnology

 

10. Good Laboratory Practice Guide

 

11. National Chapters on Nanotechnology

 

12. Some Other Important Resources

12.1. Australia

 

12.2. Canada                                            

 

12.3. China

 

12.4. Denmark

 

12.5. France

 

12.6. Germany

·        DaNa2.0: Data and knowledge on nanomaterials - processing of socially relevant scientific facts

 

12.7. India

 

12.8. Japan

 

12.9. Netherlands

 

12.10. New Zealand

12.11. Switzerland

·        Swiss precautionary matrix for synthetic nanomaterials

·        Public Reactions to Nanotechnology in Switzerland , 2006

                                                                                                                  

12.12. Sweden

 

12.13. Taiwan

 

12.14. UK

 

12.15. USA

·        Ninth Circuit Court’s decision on EPA’s approval of nanosilver-based pesticide [ Natural Resources Defense Council v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, No. 12-70268 (9th Cir. Nov. 7, 2013) ]

 

 

 

 

13. Journal

 

14. Bibliography

14.1. Books

14.1.1. Encyclopedia, Dictionary and Handbook

 

14.1.2. General

 

14.1.3. Regulations

 

14.1.4. Environmental and Health Aspects

 

14.1.5. Societal Aspects

                                                                                                                                         

14.2. Articles

14.2.1. General

 

 

14.2.2. Nanotechnology Regulations

 

 

14.2.3. Patent and Nanotechnology

 

14.2.4 Environmental and Health Implications of Nanotechnology

 

14.2.5. Societal Implications of Nanotechnology

 

14.2.6. Risk, Exposure Assessment, and Management

 

14.2.7. Nanotechnology and Occupational Health

 

14.2.8. Nano Food Regulation