New statistical Definitions of Biotechnology and Nanotechnology

Measuring the impact of biotechnology and nanotechnology has just become easier:

In the “Revised proposal for the revision of the statistical definitions of biotechnology and nanotechnology”, Steffi Friedrichs and Brigitte van Beuzekom report a revised version of the OECD’s statistical definition of biotechnology, which had last been reviewed in 2008, and proposes the adoption of a statistical definition of nanotechnology in the same format. The document furthermore
provides recommendations for the application of these definitions for statistical purposes.

Biotechnology and nanotechnology are both enabling technologies, which find applications and give rise to innovations in many industry sectors, contributing to determine wide ranges of economic and societal impact.

Agreement on a harmonised application of clear statistical definitions of technologies is pertinent to the delineation of technology fields both with regard to each other and within the context of wider economic developments.

The authors note, however, that the statistical definitions proposed in the recent OECD STI Working Paper (2018/01) are indicative rather than exhaustive and are expected to change over time as biotechnology and nanotechnology activities evolve. The document does not consider merits or appropriateness of these definitions for other purposes including, for example, regulatory oversight for protection of health or environment.

Follow this link to access the full “Revised proposal for the revision of the statistical definitions of biotechnology and nanotechnology” on the OECDiLibrary.