By Peter M. Robinson

At a time of multifaceted regulatory and policy development, one of USCIB’s challenges is to target its resources on key areas of concern to our members.  At the same time, USCIB must be nimble enough to move quickly on new and emerging issues, especially those in our “space,” i.e., intergovernmental organizations.

The regulatory response to rapid advances in nanotechnology – the manipulation of objects at less than a billionth of a meter – presents just such an emerging issue.  Nanotech is poised to transform our economy and society, and will likely serve as a critical driver of innovation in the twenty-first century.  That may sound like hyperbole, but it’s not.

Nanotech applications are proliferating, as progress in the underlying science intersect with significant new business opportunities.  Recent studies predict that nanotechnology-related markets worldwide could reach $1 trillion by 2015, with nanotech playing a leading role in business sectors ranging from the life sciences, electronics, energy and chemicals to consumer products, textiles and cosmetics.

New technologies always bring new rules and regulations, however.  Nanotech’s dynamism and complexity make it imperative that governments get the policy framework right, especially in view of widespread public misunderstanding about the nature of nanotech.  Like any new technology, there is uncertainty over the range of potential applications, as well as the implications for human, and environmental, health and safety.

The business community believes the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development can play a critical role at this juncture.  Building on its significant expertise in chemicals policy and regulation, the OECD is ideally placed to develop internationally agreed science-based methodologies, definitions and mechanisms for managing products, and for protecting environmental and human health.

The OECD process is especially useful, since it provides an established channel for policy outreach to innovative non-member countries such as China and India.  In addition, industry’s active involvement via the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD, part of USCIB’s global network, gives the private sector a forum for addressing perceptions by the wider public.  The issue of nanotechnology was highlighted for me by many at May’s BIAC general assembly meeting in Paris.

USCIB has already played a key role in providing the OECD with industry analysis and expertise in nanotechnology.  In addition, our members are actively engaged with U.S. officials on these issues, building government’s understanding of how existing legislation may best be applied to nanotechnology, and underscoring nanotech’s great innovative potential.  We will continue to keep our members abreast of developments, and represent their interests on this crucial emerging issue.

Mr. Robinson’s bio and contact information

More on USCIB’s Nanotechnology Working Group

OECD website

New postings from Mr. Robinson appear quarterly.  Previous postings:
Making Progress in the Fight Against Fakes (Spring 2006)

By Peter M. Robinson

USCIB’s value rests not just in its ability to mobilize leading companies in support of common goals, but in translating this into international action through our unique global network — the International Chamber of Commerce, the International Organisation of Employers, and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD. These worldwide groups form a key platform for engaging government leaders and policy makers on a wide range of issues.

Recent developments in ICC’s BASCAP (Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy) initiative demonstrate how important this network can be. There are few more pressing concerns for global companies than combating the skyrocketing proliferation of fake products, which threatens not only the bottom line and reputation of companies around the world, but also the health and safety of consumers. ICC’s genius is to marry businesses from different affected industries in many parts of the world in this common pursuit.

Last October, ICC convened a CEO-level BASCAP Global Leadership Group, made up of 17 company CEOs and chairmen – including Microsoft CEO Steven A. Ballmer and NBC Universal Chairman and CEO Bob Wright – committed to raising consumer and government awareness about intellectual property rights. The four-point plan of action on which they agreed aims to:

• Create counterfeiting and piracy indices, identifying issues that deserve greater attention within national IP protection programs.
• Develop a clearinghouse to share best practices and strategies.
• Compile case studies and statistics that can be shared between businesses and governments.
• Develop educational materials to explain why IP rights should be respected.

The coming months will see results delivered on each of these goals. A BASCAP web site has been set up at www.iccwbo.org/bascap, where visitors can download a fact-sheet with compelling arguments for protecting intellectual property. Supported by ICC’s Commercial Crime Services unit, a database of the negative effects of counterfeiting and piracy will be ready shortly, and the City University of London’s Cass Business School will undertake a benchmark survey on business perceptions of IPR protection.

Next steps include a possible CEO session with the European Commission in April, and meetings with government leaders ahead of the G-8 summit in St. Petersburg this July. We need your support for this important initiative to continue to bear fruit. If your company is not already involved in BASCAP, we encourage you to do so at the highest possible level. Counterfeiting and piracy are global problems, and their eradication will entail global cooperation and global solutions. We urge you to join us in this fight.

Mr. Robinson’s bio and contact information

More on USCIB’s Intellectual Property Committee

BASCAP website