BfR consumer conference on nanotechnology in foods, cosmetics, and textiles : consumer vote on nanotechnology on 20 November 2006

This public engagement experiment, organized by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR. Sixteen randomly chosen citizens took part in two preparatory weekends to get an introduction to the topic, and prepared questions to ask a panel of experts. After a public hearing, the group proceeded to the consumer vote. The group cited the need for more research to be funded looking at the potential risks of nanotechnology, mandatory labeling of products containing nanomaterials, especially in cosmetics, and a greater effort to include the general public in discussions about nanotechnology research, development, and regulation.