EPA's Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program Receives New Submissions

The first phase of EPA's voluntary Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program (NMSP) closes on Monday.  For those keeping track, the most up-to-date NMSP participation statistics as of July 24, 2008 follow.  It is shaping up to be a very respectable list of participants.

Submissions Under Basic Program: (9 submissions - covering 68 nanoscale materials) DuPont; Nanophase Technologies Corporation; Nantero; Office ZPI; Quantum Sphere; Strem Chemicals; Swan Chemicals Inc.; Unidym; and one Confidential Business Information Submission.

Commitments to Submit Information Under Basic Program: (11) Arkema; BASF Corporation; Bayer Material Science; Dow Chemical; Evonik/Degussa; General Electric; International Carbon Black Association; Nanocyl North America; PPG Industries; Sasol North America; and Synthetic Amorphous Silica and Silicate Industry Association.

Commitments to Participate in the In-Depth Program: (2) Swan Chemicals Inc.; and Unidym.

Where Science and Law Meet

The Nano Science and Technology Institute recently published an article, "Where Science and Law Meet," concerning the implications nanotechnology is having on intellectual property law.  As one would expect, patents are being filed for nanotechnology products in increasing numbers.  Given the complexities of both patent law and nanotechnology, there are unique implications when the two meet.  The article provides a good discussion on developments in intellectual property law.