Nanomaterials are commonly used in many industrial and consumer products. Besides beneficial properties certain nanomaterials could also pose substantial risks to human health and the environment. Nanomaterials are implicitly covered in insurance policies. Liability insurance companies should therefore check their  portfolios and investigate whether and which kind of nano-related risks are covered in their policies. At the same time new scientific data on potential risks of specific nanomaterials and regulatory developments have to be followed continuously. Unexpected losses in liability lines of business could be avoided, if appropriate underwriting options are developed timely.

About the Innovation Society

Christoph Meili is a senior lecturer at the University of St. Gallen and CEO of “The Innovation Society, St. Gallen (Switzerland). The company is an international consulting company which advises insurances, industry and regulators in risk-management and governance of nanotechnology.