Home | Databases | WorldLII | Search | Feedback Edited Legal Collections Data

Weidl, Thorsten; Klein, Gerhard; Zöllner, Rolf --- "The Role of Risk Management Frameworks and Certification Bodies" [2010] ELECD 729; in Hodge, A. Graeme; Bowman, M. Diana; Maynard, D. Andrew (eds), "International Handbook on Regulating Nanotechnologies" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2010)

Book Title: International Handbook on Regulating Nanotechnologies

Editor(s): Hodge, A. Graeme; Bowman, M. Diana; Maynard, D. Andrew

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781848446731

Section: Chapter 21

Section Title: The Role of Risk Management Frameworks and Certification Bodies

Author(s): Weidl, Thorsten; Klein, Gerhard; Zöllner, Rolf

Number of pages: 22

Extract:

21 The role of risk management frameworks
and certification bodies
Thorsten Weidl, Gerhard Klein and Rolf Zöllner


21.1 INTRODUCTION

An increasing number of products with claimed or actual nano-properties
are being launched on the market. Irrespective of whether these proper-
ties are highlighted in advertising or hushed up for marketing reasons,
the fundamental question is whether and to what extent such products
and their production processes can or should be certified. The discussion
surrounding this topic also reflects the underlying assessment of nano-
technology risks.
`The role of risk management and its certification for nanotechnology
as a European certification organization views it' could have also been an
appropriate title for this chapter. The authors are responsible for develop-
ing services in nanotechnology at TÜV SÜD, which is one of the world's
leading technical consultant and certification bodies, with a German
and European focus. Their responsibilities include the risk management
system CENARIOS® as well as developing a certification standard for
product certification. They provide an objective overview and admittedly
give a particular perspective on the subject risk management framework
and certification not every reader will agree with. Indeed, the sometimes
provocative statements reflect the point of view of a European certification
organization and member of standardization committees whose genuine
duty is not only to influence decision-making in this direction but also
associates reflections and attitudes.
To address these issues, this chapter first takes a closer look at the
concept of certification and the motivation ...