Nanotechnology Risk Governance Framework (NRGF) – adaptation of the IRGC approach

It has been widely acknowledged that the risk governance of nanotechnology should be based on a clear understanding of risk, its management practices, and the societal risk perception by all stakeholders. The Risk Governance Framework of the International Risk Governance Center (IRGC) describes processes aiming to provide and structure scientific evidence about a risk in a
societal context.

The NANORIGO, RiskGONE and GOV4NANO projects consider this framework along with the ISO 21505 and ISO 31000 standards modified in caLIBRAte to fit nanotechnology, its products and contiguous frameworks. The NRGF provides guidance for early identification, assessment, management and communication of risks, involving multiple stakeholders, considering the social impacts of the various uses of nanoproducts, and coupling risk benefit assessment. 

It integrates selected methods, tools and best practices that can improve or complement existing practices for safety and risk management. Stakeholder needs, as continuously identified, are incorporated in the NRGF to enable tailored development for
multiple stakeholder groups. The NRGF comprises of interlinked steps and cross-cutting core functions and serves as the integrator of important concepts and principles, tools and illustrations. The framework is converted to web-based solutions also including the use of FAIR data to facilitate its’ interactive and flexible use.