Nanotechnology innovation is growing fast on a global scale. Areas of application and use include electronics, food and food packaging, textiles, health care, drugs, diagnostics, coatings, as well as cosmetics. Nanoparticles and nanomaterials might negatively impact the environment and public health in many ways. Risks to the environment and to humans is a growing concern in society and engage regulators, industry, consumers, NGOs, the media, and scientific experts. Since toxicity of chemicals at nanoscale is not predictable from the toxicity of the same material in bulk or molecular form, risk assessment of nanomaterials is surrounded by considerable uncertainty. Still, regulatory bodies ask for robust scientific risk assessment that can serve as decision support for policy and steering. Public concern about risks of nanomaterials is generally low, except for some specific issues such as sun screens, and antibacterial silver in clothes. The establishment of trustworthy, legitimate and efficient governance frame-works for the regulation of nanomaterials will demand inter-institutional and inter-organizational collaboration of a broad range of societal actors. Hence, concerns about nanotechnology engage expert stakeholders representing many different organisations.
This study explores the views of Swedish expert stakeholders’ on a number of issues and challenges regarding nanotechnology innovation. A web based questionnaire has been administered to some 250 expert stakeholders representing regulatory bodies, industry, funding agencies, NGOs (for example industry associations, consumer organisations, environmental organisations, and trade unions). The study explores stakeholders’ perceptions of risks and benefits of nanomaterials and nanotechnology, also in relation to area of application. It also investigates ,stakeholder’s preferences for, and ideas about, what regulatory tools are appropriate for nanomaterials, as well as their more general ideas about need for public involvement and/or scientific knowledge in regulatory processes. The aim of the study is to gain knowledge about the views of different stakeholders in the Swedish society who engage in issues concerning nanotechnology. And to explore similarities and differences between categories of actors. The study contributes to a wider discussion on how risk perception correlates with assumed benefits and how preferences for regulation varies with perceived risk. In line with previous research we predict that the perception of risk and benefits depend on area of application and area and type of expertise. Furthermore, we expect to find that views on regulation vary in correlation to understanding of benefits and risks.