This report is an introduction to the nanotechnology uprising fields. In the first section, different definitions of the nanotechnology term are given. Then, the various applications known to date and expected in the near future will be gathered according to the three most important fields of the nanotechnologies. The economic aspect will be treated in the third part before tackling the question of health and environment risks. Finally, the challenges to design an Integrated Product Policy for nanoproducts and process, as well as the importance and difficulties of elaborating a complete Life Cycle Assessment for implementing such a policy will be pointed out in the conclusion