Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., “Obama Administration sets forth Principles for Regulation and Oversight of Emerging Technologies,” Nanotechnology Industries Association Newsletter, March 23, 2011.

A March 11, 2011, memorandum from the White House Emerging Technologies Interagency Policy Coordination Committee (ETIPC) sets forth the Obama Administration’s principles for regulation and oversight of emerging technologies, including nanotechnology. One might wonder why a memorandum was thought necessary, and indeed, according to some U.S. trade press reports, the memorandum reportedly was not especially welcome news in some NGO camps. According to these reports, the memorandum reflects further retreat from regulatory initiatives intended to regulate manufactured nanoscale materials. That aside, the tone and content of the missive is promising, and consistent with President Obama’s State of the Union remarks in January linking innovation with jobs and a robust economy.