ABSTRACT
The regulation of employee health and safety in work with nanomaterials is a precarious matter. To resolve the uncertainty surrounding nanomaterials occupational health and safety (OHS) calls have been made for regulators to cooperate with nano-companies in order to uncover and avoid risk. Business associations in the chemical sector are actively engaged in the discussion on nanomaterials OHS. Based on the analysis of publicly available documents, key collaborative activities of the Verband der Chemischen Industrie (VCI) directed at nanomaterials OHS will be mapped and analysed for the time period of 2003 until 2013. In Germany, business associations are known to follow a tradition of economic self-organisation, which supports the collective organisation of business interests significantly. Compared to other European business associations populated predominantly by 'companies', the Chemical Industry Association is the most active in supporting health and safety at workplaces where nanomaterials are handled.
