To the Editor

There is certainly a need for technical guidance on materials characterization and a harmonized approach for the scientific community as suggested in your Editorial 'Join the dialogue' (Nature Nanotech. 7, 545; 2012). However, given the potential impact of nanomaterials on human health, technological progress and economic benefits, we think that other stakeholders such as regulators, decision makers, members of the innovation community and industrial partners also need to be informed on important science-based issues surrounding the safety of nanomaterials and technologies. Disseminating messages more widely will possibly increase the importance of nanosafety on the societal and policy agenda.

To reach these stakeholders, it is necessary to identify key topical issues on nanosafety and condense them into short, easy-to-read messages. For example, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) distributes 'FIOH Impact Sheets' in Finnish a few times a year to Finnish decision makers. When justified by the FIOH strategy and goals, the top leadership decides ad hoc on the release of these documents considering the general interest and timeliness of the topic. These sheets are distributed in English to decision makers globally when the topic they address is of a global nature and interest. This is a new practice at the FIOH; the impact sheet on nanotechnology is the third that has been distributed in Finnish, and the first that has been distributed in English. The most recent impact sheet was published on 31 October 2012 and was entitled 'Safety Research on Nanotechnology Needed' (http://go.nature.com/f5kok6). It highlights the importance of the safety of workers, consumers and the environment to gain trust and confidence on engineered nanomaterials, and to promote innovation and commercialization of nanomaterials globally. We believe that this condensed and easy-to-read format of a policy brief for domestic and international decision makers is a valuable and efficient tool to increase awareness.