The Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University is working with leading biofilm research centers in the UK, Europe, Asia, and Australia to develop international standardized biofilm test methods. The International Biofilm Standards Task Group (IBSTG) is focusing its efforts on testing methods in health care settings, industrial systems, and the built environment. By doing so, the group aims to enable informed and consistent decision-making regarding international regulation of antibiofilm products. Input from industry and agencies is welcome. Email U.S. contact Dr. Darla Goeres

Mission

To drive the international development, harmonization and implementation of biofilm test methods and standards in health care, the built environment, and industrial systems.

Goal

Enable for informed and consistent global decision making on the regulation of anti-biofilm products.  

Aims

  • Collaborate with regulatory decision makers to define the importance of using biofilm methods for biofilm specific label claims 
  • Promote the need for harmonized global biofilm standards to public officials through a consortium of established and recognized regional expert organizations 
  • Support the standardization and validation of biofilm test methods that are referenced in regulatory guidance documents
  • Promote the use of statistically validated biofilm methods in regulating products with biofilm label claims relevant to various industry and consumer segments
  • Leverage the global nature of the consortium to harmonize testing methods across geographies 
  • Engage industry, research institutions, and academic stakeholders in the method development process in coordination with the various regulatory agencies 
  • Champion biofilm methods in country and industry specific standard setting committees 
  • Promote international consensus in the biofilm methods recognized in regulatory guidance documents

Documents

Mission Statement

Position Statement 

Task Group

Photo of task group at meeting table

 

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Contacts

Center for Biofilm Engineering (US)
Darla Goeres

NBIC (UK)
Paulina Rakowska

SCELSE/SNBC (Singapore)
Michel Birnbaum

Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE) (Portugal)
Nuno Azevedo

ARC Biofilm Training Centre for Innovation (Australia)
Scott Wade

Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
Merja Ahonen