Too small to overlook

The authors discuss failed programs in the United States and the United Kingdom to get industry to voluntarily submit information on their production and use of nanomaterials, and reports on the mandatory reporting scheme developed by Canada that was launched in January 2009. The authors call for a greater flow of information between researchers, producers, and regulators of nanotechnologies, reports on some progress in this area. They conclude that there needs to be a greater push for more effective and timely sharing of data, and oversight at the local, national and international levels if we want consumers to gain from the development of safe, sustainable, new technologies.