Australian Office of Nanotechnology

The Australian Office of Nanotechnology (AON) was established within the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) in 2007 to manage the implementation of the government's National Nanotechnology Strategy. It has three specific objectives, which address policy development and coordination. First, it seeks to achieve a policy environment that helps the Australian government make informed decisions on the impacts, opportunities, and challenges of nanotechnology. Second, it coordinates and cooperates across Australian government agencies ensuring a whole-of-government approach to policy issues on nanotechnology and engages with the states and territories. And third, it works with industry to support the uptake of nanotechnology.

Key initiatives within the National Nanotechnology Strategy that the AON has established include a Health, Safety and EnvironmentWorking Group, which reviews regulatory frameworks in order to keep pace with continuous development and with the release of nanoenhanced materials, products and services. The Working Group developed the report “The Australian Government Approach to the Responsible Management of Nanotechnology,” which provided a framework for a consistent approach across the Australian government to nanotechnology, including the three key principles of protecting the health and safety of humans and the environment; fostering informed community debate; and achieving economic and social benefits from the responsible adoption of nanotechnology. The AON also commissioned the independent nanotechnology report, “A Review of Possible Impacts of Nanotechnology on Australia's Regulatory Framework, which assessed the adequacy of Australia's nanotechnology regulation, finding that current regulations were sufficient to handle nanotechnology applications, but also identified where more work in specific areas was needed. In addition, the AON has worked with the National Measurement Institute to develop nanometrology capabilities as a key priority, and has undertaken several industry development activities.