32 • NBIC is working with leading biofilm research centres across the UK, Europe, USA, Australia and Asia to support the development of international standardised biofilm test methods. The International Biofilm Standards Task Group (IBSTG), formed in 2020, guides the international development and acceptance of standardised biofilm models and test methods in healthcare, the natural and built environment and industry. IBSTG enables informed and consistent decision-making regarding international regulation of biofilm products. • The Biofilm Alliance: A Network for Regulatory Science, Academic Research, and Industry Collaboration, brings together a core team from NBIC, Manchester Metropolitan University, Swansea University, and Industrial Microbiological Services Ltd. Funded by Innovate UK, this initiative aims to unite experts from academia, industry, metrology, regulatory bodies, and standardisation organisations to bridge the gap between cutting-edge biofilm research and effective regulation, to foster innovation in biofilm technologies through coordinated, cross- sector engagement. • Participation in, and a seat on the management committee of the EU COST Action: Euro-MIC ‘European Microbially Influenced Corrosion Network – New Paths for Science, Sustainability and Standards’. Recently, Dr Paulina Rakowska, NBIC’s Biofilm Standards and Regulatory Programme Manager, co‑authored a book chapter on “Standardization - What Is the Status of MIC? What Is Missing? And How Can We Improve It?”, published as part of the Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion: A Comprehensive Guide to Principles, Assessment and Mitigation (CRC Press, 2026), examining gaps in current standards and priorities for improvement. • NBIC is playing a leading role in the EU COST Action ‘RegulatoryToolBox: Building Consensus on Biofilm Regulatory Decision Making’, with Dr Paulina Rakowska, as Co-Chair of the Action. Many members of the NBIC consortium are also actively involved, holding key leadership positions across the initiative. • Co‑organisation of sessions focused on biofilm standardisation at the 18th International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation Symposium (Montana, September 2021) and the 19th Symposium (Berlin, September 2024), and the workshop and industry consultation on “Advancing Biofilm Standards for Microbially Influenced Corrosion,” held at the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (February 2025). • Dr Paulina Rakowska, is chairing the BSICH/216/-/3 Committee on Biofilms and Products, which is developing a guideline on ‘Methodologies for Antibiofilm New Product Claims’. • NBIC is actively participating in the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) TC 216 WG 5 Strategy Group – Biofilm Task Force, concentrated on exploring possible new areas of standardisation work. • NBIC is providing input to biofilm standards under the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), currently working on three biofilm-related standards in the fields of biocides, oil and gas systems and microbiologically influenced corrosion. • Research collaborations with the UK’s National Measurement System institutes include: 1. The development of biofilm reference materials, with the international life sciences measurement and tools company LGC, funded by NBIC’s PoC 4. 2. Collaboration with the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, part of the Medicines and Health Regulatory Agency, on the development of biofilm preservation technologies. 3. Piloting the development of reproducible biofilm models and analytical methods in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory. • Building awareness of biofilm standardisation through presentations and posters at conferences. • Further, the Biofilm Alliance Forum - a cross‑sector event, held in July 2025 in Manchester, was delivered to consider biofilm methods, regulatory challenges, and emerging priorities across industries, providing further evidence to inform future regulatory and standards‑related activity. • Influencing policy: 1. In October 2022, NBIC’s CEO, Professor Jo Slater- Jefferies, presented to the (then) House of Commons Science and Technology Committee and In July 2025, NBIC Edinburgh Co-Director, Professor Cait MacPhee, returned to the Committee as part of its ‘Under the Microscope’ inquiry. Regulation was discussed at both sessions. More information can be found in the Policy section on page 44. 2. NBIC has published a position paper, recommending actions for funders, standardisation organisations and regulators that would support and enable the academic and industry communities in pursuing standardisation initiatives. NBIC is 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:
View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.