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Nanotechnology Issues Dialogue Group

The Nanotechnology Issues Dialogue Group (NIDG), chaired by Go - Science in the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), is enabling the responsible development of nanotechnologies and co-ordinating the activities described in the Government's response on nanotechnologies across departments, agencies and Research Councils.

Terms of reference

The role of the Nanotechnology Issues Dialogue Group (NIDG) is to:

1. Co-ordinate Government activities described in its response to the report by the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering: 'Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties';
2. Provide a platform to monitor progress and delivery of the commitments of the Government, and provide evidence to inform the Council for Science and Technology's two and five-year independent reviews of progress;
3. Ensure that the work of the Nanotechnology Research Co-ordination Group (NRCG) is integrated with other parts of the programme of work set out in the Government's response.

Mode of working

1. NIDG  is chaired by Go - Science, DIUS and is open to the participation of all UK Government departments and agencies that have responsibilities for taking forward the Government's agenda on nanotechnologies, as set out in the Government's response to the RS/RAEng report; 
2. NIDG will provide a forum for discussion and also a mechanism to help refer unresolved issues to Ministers   

Member bodies                                                                                                 

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Department for International Development
Department for Transport
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for Northern Ireland
Department of Health
Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Department of Energy and Climate Change (tbc)
Economic and Social Research Council
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Environment Agency
Food Standards Agency
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Health and Safety Executive
Health Protection Agency
Home Office
Medical Research Council
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
Ministry of Defence
National Assembly for Wales
National Physical Laboratory
Natural Environment Research Council
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (Chair)
Scottish Executive

Meetings

The NIDG meets four times a year.

Contact

You can contact NIDG through its Secretariat, which is based in the Government Office for Science at:
Secretariat
Nanotechnology Issues Dialogue Group
GO-Science, DIUS
Bay 258
Kingsgate House
66-74 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 6SW

Tel: +44 (0)20 3300 8514
Fax: +44 (0)20 3300 8980
Email: Kenton.Thompson@dius.gsi.gov.uk