Nanotechnology is one of the key technologies of the 21st century and is associated with high expectations. However, the larger surface area of nanoparticles makes them highly reactive compared to the larger sized particles of the same chemistry. Due to their size, they are able to cross differing biological barriers resulting in both, desirable and undesirable effects. Current knowledge about toxicological effects is limited and standardization of nanomaterial application is poor. Thus, a paradigm shift towards more proactive assessment has been identified. There are several international (European Commission, Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development) and national key institutions active in the field of nanotoxicology. In 2007, the European Centre for Nanotoxicology (EURO-NanoTox), an Austrian hub for scientific knowledge in the field of nanotoxicology, was founded. This Centre acts as a national contact point with international visibility for researchers and industries, and it has co-operative partnerships on academic and industrial levels. The variety of the scientific backgrounds and techniques offered by the partners allows the centre to describe biological actions of nanoparticles from different perspectives and to embed them into international research. Additionally, EURO-NanoTox is in co-operation with the key institutions on the European level to ensure that human health and the environmental safety aspects of nanotechnology are adequately addressed.