Nanotechnology Industries Association

The Nanotechnology Industries Association (NIA), which describes itself as “the voice of the nanotechnology industries,” was established in 2005 by predominantly British companies to bring together a number of independent companies with a common interest in nanotechnology and advances in nanoscience. The goal was to represent industry rather than the combination of industry and university researchers, as is the case with many other bodies.

The NIA brought together a wide variety of industry sectors, with companies involved in producing chemicals, processing materials and consumer products, automakers, and firms involved in the manufacture of healthcare products. Initially, its headquarters was in Newcastleupon-Tyne, [Page 548]in north England, but it was moved to mainland Europe. Its office has been at the Square de Meeûs in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, since September 2008. The NIA remains the only global industry-focused trade association concerned with companies involved in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

The NIA maintains that its two major functions are the provision of “a framework of shared principles for the safe, sustainable and socially supportive development and use of nanotechnologies,” and “a publicly and regulatory supportive environment for the continuing advancement and establishment of nanotechnology innovation.” To fulfill these goals, the NIA provides support to companies involved in nanotechnology through “identification, forecasting and road mapping of unique areas of competitive advantage using nanotechnologies,” and in a variety of other ways.

As well as this, the NIA has also been able to provide information to help regulators and policy makers to develop policies that protect people involved in the industry, and to try to ensure that the companies maintain the highest possible standards. This also involves the NIA providing “assistance in developing nanotechnology policies through clarifying the potential of nanotechnologies as part of a net risk/benefit equation.” To achieve these aims, the NIA created a “Responsible Nano Code,” which was developed after collaboration with the Royal Society (United Kingdom), Insight Investment, and also the U.K. Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network. In addition, the NIA helps with an information campaign to the public to clarify and “demystify” the various nanotechnologies “in the public eye.”

The NIA maintains its Website, which has a “members only” section, and produces publications and reports. Although it has a global focus, the NIA has been particularly important in following the debates over developments in nanoscience within Europe, and especially within Britain. Representatives of the NIA have addressed the European Parliament, and some of its committees, as well as the British Houses of Parliament.