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DuPont and Environmental Defense have released a comprehensive framework to assist with the responsible development and use of nanotechnology and to help inform global dialogue of its potential risks. The Nano Risk Framework is intended for use around the world by small and large companies, regulatory agencies, universities, and others with an interest in commercializing nanoscale materials.

DuPont and Environmental Defense initiated a partnership in nanotechnology in September 2005, creating a multidisciplinary team with expertise in science, engineering, law and business. The goal was to develop a systematic and disciplined process for evaluating and addressing the environmental, health and safety risks of nanomaterials across all stages of a product's lifecycle—from initial sourcing through manufacture, use, and recycling or disposal.

The resulting framework offers a thorough and usable six-step process for organizations to identify, assess and manage potential risks. The six steps include describing the material and the intended application, profiling the material's lifecycle in this application, evaluating the associated risks, assessing risk management options, and deciding and documenting actions.

In developing the framework, DuPont and Environmental Defense solicited and received significant feedback from a broad range of interested parties, including other companies and NGOs, government officials and academics. The Framework uses proven risk-management techniques to fully integrate with any current environmental, health and safety practices in place within companies. It also provides several new elements that can be instrumental in understanding the unique potential risks of nanomaterials, including the recommendation to develop informational profiles—or base sets—regarding the properties, hazards, and exposures associated with a given nanomaterial, guidance on developing more detailed information on physical-chemical properties and ecotoxicity.