Good governance : evolution of the nanoscale materials stewardship program

This article discusses the current status of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) voluntary Nanoscale materials Stewardship Program, some of the major issues the EPA confronted in developing the voluntary program, and why it is important for industry, academia and other stakeholders to participate in the program. Though critics of the program have called for the EPA to use its authority under the Toxic Substances Control Act to mandate the submission of information on nanoscale materials, the author calls for widespread voluntary participation to help maintain public trust in nanotechnologies, and to provide the EPA with the information it needs to make informed regulatory decisions.