Nanosciences and nanotechnologies (NST) are currently considered as leading innovation fields, generating comprehensive expectations regarding its developmental potential. Glob-ally, annual investment in research and development within this field exceed the billion-dollar mark and most industrial nations established national NST related research and development initiatives and programs. Apart from the scientific and economic euphoria, various social ac-tors have started to debate on potential impacts and toxicological studies reported adverse health effects of nanoscale materials. This has lead to regulatory discussions in various countries and on the international level. This comparative project analyzes NST related risk con-cepts in the regulatory discourse and focuses on the ways they influence national and international legislation. Drawing on examples out of chemicals and agricultural biotechnology regulation, it aims at showing in what way, transatlantic differences in the legislation of those fields will influence the emerging regulation of NST.