b'INTERNATIONAL BIOFILM AIMSSTANDARDS TASK GROUP Educate regulatory decision makers on the importance of using biofilm methods for biofilm Driven by industry needs, in February 2020, NBIC,specific label claims.along with the USA Center for Biofilm Engineering,Promote to public officials the need to set the Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciencesglobal biofilm standards through a consortium Engineering (SCELSE), and an EU Cooperation in Scienceof established and recognised regional expert and Technology (COST) action group, formed anorganisations.International Biofilms Standards Task Group (IBSTG). Its mission is to drive the international developmentStandardise and validate biofilm test methods that and acceptance of standardised biofilm test methodsare referenced in regulatory guidance documents.in healthcare, the built environment and industrial systems and enable informed and consistent decisionPromote the use of statistically validated biofilm making on the international regulation of anti-biofilmmethods when regulating products with a kills or products. prevents biofilms label claim.Leverage the global nature of the consortium toadapt 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 recognised in regulatory guidance documents.ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROGRESS TO DATEIn June 2020, NBIC joined the BSI CH/216 Chemical Disinfectants and Antiseptics Committee to lobby for development of standards for assessment of these agents in the presence of biofilms.In December 2020, NBIC secured funding from the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to progress the development and characterisation of standardised biofilms with a view to developing a joint platform methodology with SCELSE in Singapore. In September 2021, the IBSTG led a session at the International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation Symposium (IBBS) on Closing the gap: the role of regulatory standards in biofilm research & industry innovation.In March 2022, a working group CH/216/3 Biofilms and Products was established, under the BSI CH/216 Committee and chaired by NBIC, which set out to explore new areas of biofilm standardisation.In February 2022, NBIC and SCELSE participated in the UK-Singapore Strategic Dialogue in Science and Innovation, where they urged for a joint and collaborative programme on biofilm standardisation.In April 2022, NBIC in partnership with the USA Centre for Biofilm Engineering (CBE), organised a workshop on Biofilm Regulations and Standardisation in the medical device and pharma sectors.FUTURE PLANS The IBSTG is working to set up a central database of all current methodologies and standards that exist in each sector and the terms they use for biofilms e.g., slime, and the microbiome. Such a review will provide a basis for gap analysis, and identify the standards which are most needed by the community.The task group is also working to establish preferred protocol(s) for the BSI CH/216 group in UK and carry out lab evaluation in multiple sites.24'