A random group of consumers selected by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment were asked to attend a conference on nanotechnology. The conference held in Berlin, German from November 18-20, 2006 where the consumers questioned industry experts about the safety of nanotechnology in cosmetics and food.

What came out of the experiment was that consumers wanted more information on how safe the technology was before it is introduced fully into society. They requested that additional information be placed on labels in an easy to understand manner, that is, terms be clear and understandable by a layman.

The group felt however that the benefits of nanotechnology in cosmetic products such as sunscreen outweighed any potential risks.