International activities on the development of nanotechnology statistics

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by Chuck McNiven, SIEID, Statistics Canada

Statistics Canada is actively involved with the international community in developing statistical information on nanotechnologies. This article summarizes the ongoing work of the OECD's newly-established Working Party on Nanotechnology, with particular emphasis on the role of Statistics Canada.

The Working Party on Nanotechnology
Objectives and activities
About the author

The Working Party on Nanotechnology

The OECD's Working Party on Nanotechnology (WPN) held its first meeting in Leuven, Belgium, on May 8^th and 9^th, 2007. The role of the WPN is to advise on emerging policy issues of science, technology and innovation related to the development of nanotechnology. At the meeting, the WPN developed a program of work with the aim of promoting international co-operation to facilitate research, development, and the responsible commercialization of nanotechnology in member countries and certain non-Member economies. The WPN established steering groups for potential projects for implementation in 2007 and 2008:

• Project A: Statistics and Measurement

• Project B: Impacts and Business Environment

• Project C: International Research Collaboration

• Project D: Outreach and Public Engagement

• Project E: Dialogue on Policy Strategies

• Project F: The Contribution of Nanotechnology to Global Challenges

Canada was selected to lead the steering group for Project A: Statistics and Measurement. This article summarizes objectives and activities associated with this work, based on the project proposal.

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Objectives and activities

The first objective is to develop an overview of the importance of nanotechnology and the international comparability of the statistics used to indicate the importance. Measures are expected to include R&D spending, other science and technology activities and the use of nanotechnology by firms. This overview would draw on available national and international sources, including member-country government reports. It would also draw on private sources, where relevant, and assess the quality and comparability of such statistics and indicators. This overview would be published as an OECD report entitled “Nanotechnology at a Glance”. The report would be a building block for further efforts in developing internationally comparable statistics and indicators.

The second objective of the project is to develop a framework for the collection of internationally comparable statistics, according to agreed definitions and classifications, and supported by possible firm-level model surveys. A critical first step in the collection of nanotechnology statistics is for stakeholders to agree on one or more definitions of nanotechnology for statistical purposes so that government, university and industry researchers and managers in each sector can consistently collect, report, and analyze data using the same language.

Establishing a systematic and consistent process for investments in nanotechnology research will provide key stakeholders, policy analysts and decision makers with reliable, validated and comparable information to help inform strategy and policy decision making on the scientific, economic, health, environmental and social impacts of nanotechnology. Some discussion may centre on the definition of a nanotechnology firm, however it may be useful, in the early stages, to focus on nanotechnology in a broad sense and collect information on all firms engaged in nanotechnology activities.  As the nature of these firms is better understood, a definition of a nanotechnology firm will emerge.

Member-country and OECD experiences with biotechnology statistics can serve as workable models for the creation of systematic statistical approaches for collecting data on nanotechnologies. An example of a lesson learned is the use of a list-based definition in addition to a general statement defining nanotechnology. Nanotechnology could be transformed into a list of measurable products and processes based on the unique characteristics of nanotechnology, which, as an added benefit, addresses, in part, the cross-sectoral nature of nanotechnology. All these potential steps would benefit from the early and active participation of stakeholders, and the creation of definitions and concepts that are rigorous enough for international comparisons, but flexible enough to capture and reflect the evolving and multi-sector nature of nanotechnology.

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About the author

Chuck McNiven is with the Science, Innovation and Electronic Information Division (SIEID) at Statistics Canada. For more information about this article, please contact sieidinfo@statcan.gc.ca.