Nanoregulation along the product life cycle in the EU,Switzerland, Thailand,the USA,and intergovernmental organisations,and its compatibility with WTO law |
| |
Authors: | Georg Karlaganis Rachel Liechti Sirasak Teparkum Pavadee Aungkavattana Ramjitti Indaraprasirt |
| |
Affiliation: | 1. UNITAR United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Geneva, Switzerland;2. georg.karlaganis@unitar.org;4. Institute for European and International Economic Law, University of Bern, Switzerland;5. Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS), Bangkok;6. National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), Bangkok, Thailand |
| |
Abstract: | AbstractDue to vast research programmes of industrial countries during the last two decades, our knowledge about the intrinsic properties of nanomaterials has increased considerably. However, ‘nanoregulation’ lags behind this progress. Key elements of nanoregulation are definition/scope and safety/consumer information. Safety information along the nano life-cycle is vital for the nanoparticle producer down to the industrial downstream user (product producer). However, nanodeclaration (in the sense of a label on the product for consumers) is not yet widely spread, in different geographic regions for different reasons. This is a case study for the EU, Switzerland, Thailand, the USA, and Intergovernmental Organisations. In addition, this study investigates inter- and governmental activities and the relationship between nanodeclaration and WTO rules. Non-compliance with WTO rules is a pretext for not introducing nanodeclaration in products. It is concluded that WTO rules do not exclude nanodeclaration. |
| |
Keywords: | Nanoregulation nanodefinition nanodeclaration WTO compliance |
|
|