The US National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) has announced a risk management workshop that’s open to the public, from the Aug. 6, 2013 news item on Azonano,

What: The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) will hold this workshop to facilitate stakeholder discussion of key elements needed to assess, manage, and communicate potential risks associated with use of nanomaterials and nanotechnology-enabled products.

When: Tuesday, September 10th and Wednesday, September 11th, 2013, starting at 8:30 am both days.

Where: USDA Patriot Plaza First Floor Conference Center, 355 E Street, SW, Washington, DC

Who: Interested members of the general public and NNI stakeholders, including representatives from academia, industry, small business, NGOs, media, government, and other relevant communities.

The NNI workshop notice, which originated the news item, provides justification for the workshop and details about registration,

Why: In order to support the responsible development of nanotechnology, this event will facilitate:

• Understanding of the state of practice for the consideration of risk used by industry, academia, and the general public
• Analysis of the role of comparative risk assessment in these evaluations, including decision analysis tools and gap analysis tools
• Identification, through case study presentations, of stakeholder values and risk perceptions that inform their decision making, and the potential integration of these values and perceptions into a practical framework for risk communication
• Current risk management practices in the emerging technology communities
• Determination of steps to improve the linkage of risk assessment to risk management and risk communication

How: This public workshop will highlight practical tools non-Federal decision makers are using in their consideration of potential risks, including quantitative and qualitative assessment and management methods. The event will include breakout session discussions on Types of Decisions and Decision Maker Groups to facilitate the responsible development of nanotechnology. The event will also include three roundtable discussions on: the Perspectives and Needs of (1) Small Businesses and (2) Large Enterprises, both pertaining to the responsible development of nanotechnology, as well as a roundtable on (3) Public Risk Perception and Communication.

Draft Agenda: Click here to view the agenda.

Registration: This workshop is free and open to the public. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and will be capped at 120 people. If you cannot attend in person, the main sessions will be webcast live during the event. Click here to register now!

Having trouble registering online? Click here to download the registration form in .pdf format. Fill out, scan, and send it to us at: r3workshop@nnco.nano.gov.

Webcast: Webcast link and information coming soon!

Hotel Information: A block of rooms has been reserved at the Holiday Inn Capitol, located at 550 C St SW, Washington, DC 20024. To make reservations, call (888) 847-1675 and reference code “N0N” or use the online booking link here. Reservations must be made by August 10, 2013.

Click here to register for the Poster Session

Click here to view Poster Session Guidelines

Additional Information and Contacts:       

Nano.gov’s 2013 NNI R3 Workshop page: http://www.nano.gov/R3workshop

Email: R3workshop@nnco.nano.gov

Twitter: @NNInanonews #NNIR3

LinkedIn’s NNI Group: http://linkd.in/167kRml

I did take a look at the draft meeting agenda and have provided this excerpt from Day 1’s packed schedule,

SESSION 1:
A Snapshot on the Perception, Assessment, and Management of the
Potential Risks of Nanotechnology

8:30 – 8:45
Welcome, NNI Overview, and Charge to Participants
TBD

8:45 – 9:00
Introduction: Progress since the 2010 NNI Capstone Meeting, and
Expectations
Treye Thomas (CPSC), Igor Linkov (DoD), and Jeff Steevens (DoD)

9:00 – 9:20
A Perspective from Industry
TBD

9:20 – 9:40
A Perspective from the Consumer Community
Michael Hansen (Consumers Union)

9:40 – 10:00
A Perspective from the Labor Community
Michael Wright (United Steelworkers)

10:00 – 10:20
Coffee Break

10:20 – 10:40
A Perspective from the Standards Community
Ajit Jillavenkatesa (NIST) [US National Institute of Standards and Technology]

10:40 – 11:00
A Perspective on Regulations
Tim Malloy (UCLA) [University of California at Los Angeles

11:00 – 11:20
A Perspective from the NGO Community
Jennifer Sass (NRDC) [Natural Resources Defense Council]

11:20 – 11:50
Discussion with Panel of Morning Speakers
Moderator: Treye Thomas (CPSC) [US Consumer Product Safety Commission]

11:50 – 12:00
Charge to Breakout Participants
Jeff Steevens (DoD) [US Dept. of Defense]

As mentioned in the notice, there are a limited number (120) of seats available.