The International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON) is a global, multi-stakeholder organization established in 2004 with the mission to develop and communicate information about the potential environmental and health risks of nanotechnology, aiming to foster risk reduction while maximizing societal benefits. Founded as an extension of the US National Science Foundation's Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN) at Rice University, ICON emerged from a need to engage in broader dialogue about nanotechnology's impact.

Its first major achievement in August 2005 was the web publication of a comprehensive database on nanotechnology environmental, health, and safety (EHS) research. This database, alongside the Virtual Journal of Nanotechnology EHS, provides a crucial resource for accessing peer-reviewed publications and high-quality technical information, widely used by stakeholders globally. ICON continues to facilitate forums and translate complex scientific data, guiding decision-makers in this rapidly advancing field.