As well as offering opportunities, every new technology also poses risks. This is also true of nanotechnology. We have therefore developed a code of conduct to ensure responsible handling of nanomaterials. This code reflects the principles of the German Federal Government.
In order to tap into the opportunities offered by technological advances, we want to use new technologies when manufacturing innovative and marketable products. Only with these actual products can we perform a rational assessment of their potential risks compared with their opportunities. This means that only a willingness to identify opportunities and risks in a stepwise approach makes innovations based on new technologies possible. As an innovative company, we have a special responsibility within this process towards our employees, customers, suppliers and society, but also towards future generations. This code of conduct defines the principles on which our work is based.
1. We, the employees of BASF, develop and use the potentials of nanotechnology to manufacture products with enhanced performance or new properties by specifically creating and using new, nanoscale materials.
2. To the extent that new technologies are converted into concrete processes and products, the expertise required to weigh up the opportunities against the potential risks related to the use of new technologies in the form of innovative products and processes increases. This is also the case with nanotechnology. We take these risks seriously, and as technical advances are achieved, continuously evaluate their potential environment and health hazards.
3. Nanotechnology-based products have long been part of our portfolio. We also plan to use the potential of nanotechnology in future to offer our customers products and systems that help them to be more successful.
4. In our Values and Principles, we have committed ourselves to pursuing a dialogue with society based on openness and trust. We regard it as our duty to provide information about the opportunities but also the potential risks of nanotechnology.