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- Title
THE ROLE OF SOFT LAW IN GOVERNING NANOTECHNOLOGIES.
- Authors
Bowman, Diana M.
- Abstract
The entry of nanotechnology-based products into the market in the early to mid-2000s was accompanied by hype and hyperbole, along with cries of concern over the potential risks posed by the technology. Known unknowns and unknown unknowns about potential human and environmental risks associated with nanomaterials appear to have been key drivers for industry, government, and nongovernmental actors to proactively experiment with different governance mechanisms, which could help mitigate potential risk and prevent potential consumer backlash. This Article examines a sample of the soft law initiatives that were deployed by stakeholders in parallel with the commercialization of an increasing number of nano-products. As the Article illustrates, some approaches were more successful than others and have helped shape the nanotechnology landscape. This Article argues, though, that the significance of these actions goes beyond nanotechnology: governance of an emerging technology can occur in parallel with its maturation, and be continuously refined as the science or the market demand.
- Subjects
SOFT law; NANOTECHNOLOGY; NANOSTRUCTURED materials; TECHNOLOGICAL innovation policy; MARKETS
- Publication
Jurimetrics: The Journal of Law, Science & Technology, 2020, Vol 61, Issue 1, p53
- ISSN
0897-1277
- Publication type
Article