Enabling informed and consistent decision making
In February 2020 NBIC, along with the US Center for Biofilm Engineering, the Singapore based SCELSE Centre and an EU Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) action group, formed a task group to drive the international development and acceptance of standardised biofilm test methods in health care, the built environment and industrial systems. Our goal is to enable informed and consistent decision making on the international regulation of anti-biofilm products.
We are keen to hear from Industry partners and others willing to engage with us in the UK and help us either understand regulatory needs or explore ways of progressing our common goals.
Mission
To guide the international development and acceptance of standardised biofilm test methods in health care, the built environment and industrial systems.
Goal
Enable for informed and consistent decision making on the international regulation of anti-biofilm products.
Aims
- Educate regulatory decision makers on the importance of using biofilm methods for biofilm specific label claims.
- Promote to public officials the need to set global biofilm standards through a consortium of established and recognized regional expert organizations
- Standardize and validate biofilm test methods that are referenced in regulatory guidance documents.
- Promote the use of statistically validated biofilm methods when regulating products with a “kills” or “prevents” biofilm label claim.
- Leverage the global nature of the consortium to adapt testing methods across geographies
- Engage industry, research institutions, and academic stakeholders in the method development process.
- Champion biofilm methods in country and industry specific standard setting committees.
- Promote international consensus in the biofilm methods recognized in regulatory guidance documents.
Contacts
Center for Biofilm Engineering (US) Darla Goeres
NBIC (UK) Jo Slater-Jefferies
SCELSE/SNBC (Singapore) SCELSE SNBC
COST AMiCI (EU) Minna Keinanen-Toivola
IBBS 18 Panel Discussion
During the 18th International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation Symposium (IBBS) a panel session was held with leading research and industry experts to discuss industrial and academic perspectives on the importance of standard biofilm test methods. Discussions included the need for biofilm methods in the oil and gas industry, the advantages and disadvantages of a standard test method versus best practices guidelines, and how regulatory hurdles are placing constraints on biofilm technology development and innovation.
The recording of the discussion on the role of regulatory standards in biofilm research and industry innovation is available on the International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation Society’s website.
Partners
