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U.S. Department of Energy                                POLICY
     Washington, D.C.		    DOE P 456.1

                                                                       9-15-05

SUBJECT:  SECRETARIAL POLICY STATEMENT ON NANOSCALE SAFETY

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The safety of its employees, the public, and the environment is
the Department’s number one priority. This policy statement is
issued to establish a framework for working safely with
nanomaterials.

Nanomaterials exhibit unique properties that can affect physical,
chemical and biological attributes.  Much of the scientific
information on the safety, health and environmental hazards of
working with these materials is yet to be determined.  With the
establishment of the Department’s Nanoscale Science Research
Centers and other emerging programs, research and development in
nanoscience will increase significantly for the foreseeable
future.

POLICY

The Department of Energy (DOE) requires that all work with
nanomaterials be conducted in a safe and responsible manner that
protects workers, the public, and the environment.  Thus, the
Department must be prudent and follow a cautious approach in the
production, use, and disposition of nanomaterials.

It is imperative that the Department’s work with nanomaterials be
conducted in a manner that encompasses the following attributes:

        ·    	DOE will adopt and implement, as appropriate, both existing
     	and future environment, safety and health best practices,
    	“National Consensus Standards,” and guidance relating to
    	nanotechnology developed by recognized standard-setting
    	organizations.  Further, any existing DOE Directives and
    	Standards which contain provisions that are relevant to
    	nanotechnology work must be appropriately applied.
     
         ·    	DOE and its contractors will identify and manage potential
	health and safety hazards and potential environmental impacts at
	sites through the use of existing Integrated Safety Management
	Systems, including Environmental Management Systems.

         ·   	 DOE organizations working with nanomaterials will stay
	 abreast of current research and guidance relating to the
	 potential hazards and impacts of nanomaterials, and will ensure
	 that this best current knowledge is reflected in the
	 identification and control of these potential hazards and impacts
	 at their facilities.

         ·   	 DOE will continue to both support research on the
	 environmental and safety and health impacts of nanomaterials, and
	 participate in government-wide activities aimed at identifying
	 and resolving potential environmental, safety, and health issues.
     
RESPONSIBILITIES

Everyone involved with nanotechnology research and development
activities shares responsibility for protecting the safety and
health of workers and the public, and in safeguarding the
environment from the hazards presented by the conduct of their
activities.  Authorized DOE employees (or personnel) are
responsible for conveying to contractors and grantees the
expectation that appropriate programs must be in place to
maintain a level of worker, public, and environmental safety
consistent with the intent of this policy.


                                   SAMUEL W. BODMAN
                                   Secretary of Energy