b'NBIC is actively addressing this need by establishing networks and collaborations and engaging in a variety of initiatives and research projects with the aim of supporting academic and industry communities in developing biofilm standards and influencing regulations:NBIC is working with leading biofilm research centresNBIC is providing input to biofilm standardsin the UK, Europe, UK, Australia and Asia to supportunder the Association for Materials Protectionthe development of international standardisedand Performance (AMPP), currently working onbiofilm test methods. The International Biofilmthree biofilm-related standards in the fields of Standards Task Group (IBSTG) was formed in 2020 tobiocides, oil and gas systems and microbiologically guide the international development and acceptanceinfluenced corrosion.of standardised biofilm models and test methods in healthcare, natural and build environmentResearch collaborations with the UKs National and industry. IBSTG aims to enable informed andMeasurement System institutes include:consistent decision-making regarding international1. The development of biofilm reference materials regulation of biofilm products with the international life sciences measurement Biofilm Alliance: A Network for Regulatory Sciences,and tools company LGC, funded by NBICs PoC 4 Academic Research, and Industry Collaboration.programme. We secured funding from Innovate UK to develop a2. Collaboration with the National Institute for proposal for the establishment of a UK RegulatoryBiological Standards and Control (NIBSC), Science and Innovation Network. The core team,part of the Medicines and Health Regulatory consisting of representatives from NBIC, ManchesterAgency (MHRA), on the development of biofilm Metropolitan University, and Microbiological Servicespreservation technologies. Limited (IMSL), collaborates to identify industry areas that the network should prioritise and to formulate3. Piloting the development of reproducible biofilm the proposal. Our approach involves conductingmodels and analytical methods in collaboration surveys, interviews with stakeholders, and efforts towith the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). engage potential participants in the network. Building awareness of biofilm standardisation Participation in, and a seat on the managementthrough presentations and posters at conferences committee of the EU COST Action: Euro-MIC Europeanand meetings. Microbially Influenced Corrosion NetworkNew Paths for Science, Sustainability and Standards. Developing, reviewing and providing input to biofilm standards under the Association for Materials Co-development of a proposal for the EU COSTProtection and Performance (AMPP), currently Action: RegulatoryToolBox Building Consensus working on three biofilm-related standards in on Biofilm Regulatory Decision Making.This proposalthe fields of biocides, oil and gas systems and has been funded and will commence in October 2024.microbiologically influenced corrosion. Co-organisation of sessions focused on biofilmUndertaking reviews and gap analysis: In 2022, NBIC standardisation, at the 18th Internationalcommissioned a review of methods and standards Biodeterioration & Biodegradation Symposiumto support anti-biofilm claims in medical devices and (IBBS) at Montana State University, USA inpharma sectors, which will be soon published. September 2021 and at the 19th IBBS Symposiumin Berlin, September 2024.Influencing policy:NBIC is working closely with British Standard1. On 19 October 2022, NBICs CEO pitched to the Institute (BSI), contributing to the CH/216 committee(then) UK Commons Science and Technology on Chemical Disinfectants and Antiseptics, andCommittee, at a My Science Inquiry event, on the working group CH/216/3 on Biofilms and Productsimportance of biofilm standards and regulations. that is working on a guideline on Methodologies for2. NBIC has published a position paper, Antibiofilm New Product Claims. recommending actions for funders, NBIC is actively participating in the Europeanstandardisation organisations and regulatorsCommittee for Standardization (CEN) TC 216 WG 5that would support and enable the academicStrategy GroupBiofilm Task Force, concentrated onand industry communities in pursuing exploring possible new areas of standardisation work. standardisation initiatives.29'