German panel calls for precautionary approach to nano

摘要

The German Advisory Council on the Environment says the precautionary principle should consistently be applied to nanomaterials but notes that doesn't mean all potentially risky nano products should be restricted or banned. "The purpose of the precautionary principle is not to halt innovation, but to balance the opportunities and risks," the government advisory group says in its Sept. 1 report, Precautionary strategies for managing nanomaterials.