OREANDA-NEWS  On 29 September was announced, that a session of the State Commission for high technology and innovation took place in Moscow under the chairmanship of vice-premier Sergey Ivanov. In the opinion of the vice-premier, the development of nano-industry is insufficiently guaranteed by its basis in law.

“Despite the fact that the value of nano-industry for this country’s future is already widely acknowledged, and the Government is taking concrete steps towards its development, the legislative process is stuck,” stated Sergey Ivanov.

In particular, the discussion deals with the absence of any clear determination of nanomaterial and nanotechnologies’ common legal basis, such as a description of their properties. The process of devising a framework to ensure uniformity of measurements, standardization, critical evaluations and safety has only recently begun.

Sergey Ivanov focused the commission’s attention on whether there was a need for a special law to be enacted regarding the field of nanoindustry. “If yes, then it should be developed as soon as possible, it should be debated in the state Duma, where we can look at the attitude of deputies toward this, but we can’t do nothing.” The alternative, if no law is necessary, according to Ivanov, is to prepare corrections to existing legislation. “But we must set up an intelligible legal base”, noted the vice-premier.

Sergey Ivanov also congratulated Anatoly Chubais, who was also present at the session, on his appointment to head RUSNANO, and thanked Leonid Melamed for his work in setting up the Corporation, noting that a number of nanotechnologies projects are already at the final evaluation stage, and others already confirmed and realized by the Corporation.