An international coalition of consumer, public health, environmental, and labour organizations concerned with various aspects of nanotechnology has submitted a Declaration on the Principles for Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials Oversight.

In recent years hundreds of products manfactured using nanomaterials have become available, such as cosmetics, sunscreens, sporting goods, clothing, electronics, baby and infant products, and food and food packaging, despite a lack of information of the environment and health risks posed by this new technology.

To address this lack of knowledge, the coalition’s Declaration, to which HEAL is a signatory, outlines eight fundamental principles necessary for the effective oversight of the new technology and its products:
 A Precautionary Foundation: Product manufacturers and distributors must bear the burden of proof to demonstrate the safety of their products: if no independent health and safety data review, then no market approval.
 Mandatory Nano-specific Regulations: Nanomaterials should be classified as new substances and subject to nano-specific oversight. Voluntary initiatives are not sufficient.
 Health and Safety of the Public and Workers: The prevention of exposure to nanomaterials that have not been proven safe must be undertaken to protect the public and workers.
 Environmental Protection: A full lifecycle analysis of environmental impacts must be completed prior to commercialization.
 Transparency: All nano products must be labelled and safety data made publicly available.
 Public Participation: There must be open, meaningful, and full public participation at every level.
 Inclusion of Broader Impacts: Nanotechnology’s wide-ranging effects, including ethical and social impacts, must be considered.
 Manufacturer Liability: Nano-industries must be accountable for liabilities incurred from their products.

George Kimbrell of the International Center for Technology Assessment said, "Since there is currently no government oversight and no labelling requirements for nano-products anywhere in the world, no one knows when they are exposed to potential nanotech risks and no one is monitoring for potential health or environmental harm. That’s why we believe oversight action based on our principles is urgent."

The complete declaration is available here