In each meeting of the OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN), the delegations have an opportunity to provide their developments on the safety of manufactured nanomaterials, so called “Tour de Table”. An earlier version of this document was originally provided to the 4th meeting held 11-13 June 2008 in Paris, France. This document compiles information provided by member countries and other delegations on current developments on the safety of manufactured nanomaterials (section I) in their countries or organizations. There are also written reports on current activities related to nanotechnologies/ nanomaterials in other International Organisations including the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) (section II). In addition, Section III includes the report from the OECD Secretariat.

This is intended to provide delegations and other stakeholders with a “snapshot” of information on activities related to manufactured nanomaterials, as well as other activities on nanotechnologies, at the national and international level.

In considering the Tour de Table, the information from each delegation is organised, where possible, under the headings identified below, while recognising that not all delegations would be able to supply information under each heading. It is to be expected that there is considerable variation amongst delegations as to the issues they wish to address, so there is some flexibility in the way the information is provided. In addition, delegations added a short bulleted list of highlights at the top of their submissions. The highlights are to give readers a general idea of key events since the 3rd meeting of the Working Party.

1. Any national regulatory developments on human health and environmental safety including recommendations or discussions related to adapting existing regulatory systems or the drafting of laws/ regulations/ guidance materials;    

2. Developments related to voluntary or stewardship schemes;    

3. Information on any risk assessment decisions;    

4. Information on any developments related to good practice documents;    

5. Research programmes or strategies designed to address human health and/ or environmental safety aspects of nanomaterials;    

6. Information on any public/ stakeholder consultation.