Setting the scene : nanotechnologies and their regulation at the EU level -- Regulating in today's nano society -- Analysing EU (risk) regulation through the lenses of regulatory capacity -- Nanotechnologies in food -- Nanotechnologies in chemicals
Summary
This book investigates the role of law in confronting major societal transformations embodied by the emergence of nanotechnologies. Taking the case of the European Union, it explores who the key decision-makers in the regulation of nanotechnologies are and how they take decisions. The questions are explored through two distinct case studies: the food and chemicals sectors. The book charts an incremental retreat of the European Union to its executive powers, including 'soft law' measures such as agencies' guidelines or implementing measures. This, the author argues, results in the Union's fundamental democratic control mechanisms, the EU legislature and the Court of Justice of the EU, being circumvented. The book recommends several immediate proposals to reform EU risk regulation, advocating a greater reliance on the European Parliament and outlining measures to increase the transparency of guidance drafting by EU agencies. This important work provides a timely examination of how emerging technologies pose both regulatory and democratic challenges
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes
Print version record and CIP data provided by publisher; resource not viewed
