Nanotechnology - The Next Asbestos?

Strategies for Surviving an Emerging Regulatory Environment

Recording of a 90-minute CLE webinar with Q&A

Conducted on Thursday, April 5, 2007

Course Materials

Description

Nanotechnology is largely unregulated at present, but concern is growing that nanomaterials pose a potential threat to human health and the environment. The EPA recently reversed existing federal policy, ruling that consumer items made with nanoparticles of silver could be subject to regulation.

Could nanoproducts be the next asbestos – with as yet unknown environmental and health dangers, leading to staggering claims and losses in the future? Though the EPA now applies existing regulations to nanomaterials, new statutes and regulation could impair commercialization of the technology.

Companies utilizing or developing nanotechnology need to know how to operate now in an uncertain system, to ensure that new regulations are reasonable and effective, to protect themselves against “nano-tort” suits, and to maintain consumer confidence in their products.

This teleconference will examine recent regulatory developments and the application of several environmental laws to nanotechnology, nanomaterials and nanoproducts, and discuss strategies nanotechnology companies can take to ensure that they are able to benefit from nanotechnology’s promise.

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Benefits

The panel will review these and other key questions:

  • How do existing environmental laws and regulations apply to the use of nanotechnology?
  • What are the legal risks of utilizing nanotechnology in the current regulatory environment?
  • What challenges face regulators in crafting guidelines — and corporations in assessing risks — for the use of nanotechnology?
  • What are the best practices for companies under the current system?

Faculty

Reed D. Rubinstein
Reed D. Rubinstein
Shareholder
Greenberg Traurig

He concentrates on environmental and administrative law and handles matters involving development, implementation, and...  |  Read More

Jeffrey Bromme
Jeffrey Bromme
Partner
Arnold & Porter

He focuses on consumer product safety and environmental law, including nanotechnology, toxic tort, and contaminated...  |  Read More