Code of Conduct Nanotechnology by Swiss Retail Organizations Published

The Swiss Retailer's Organisation (IG DHS), among whose members are the most important actors in Swiss retailing such as Migros, Coop, Manor, Valora and Charles Vögele, on April 14th published a Code of Conduct for the handling of nanotechnology in consumer products. In the Code, the members commit to highest possible transparency for consumers and to the application of the precautionary principle in the face of a lack of specific legal rulings.With this self-commitment the signing members want to make sure that consumers will be informed openly about products containing nanotechnology and that products characterised as nanotechnological actually do contain applications of nanotechnology.The Code of Conduct will prove to be of special relevance for producers and suppliers located in upstream parts of the value chain. They are expected to perform a systematic and documented risk management and to disclose all decision-relevant product data. Due to the high market power of the signing retailers, it is likely that these requirements will actually be enforced.The Innovation Society was involved as a consultant in the elaboration of the Code of Conduct. Companies that use the CENARIOS risk management system developed by the Innovation Society in collaboration with TÜV SÜD can be sure to fulfil all requirements of the Code concerning safety, information and documentation.

The Code of Conduct can be found under Publications.