Building Consensus on Biofilm Regulatory Decision Making
RegulatoryToolBox is a European network which brings modern biofilm research to regulatory decision-making. Biofilms affect healthcare, industry, and the environment, yet current regulatory assessments rely on outdated tools that fail to reflect recent scientific progress.
Join us in shaping the future of biofilm regulation. Whether you are a researcher, industry leader, or policymaker, your expertise can help drive change. Together, we can build a modern regulatory toolbox that reflects the latest science and fosters innovation across Europe.
Our Mission and Objectives
Despite the critical role of regulatory science in determining market access and product claims, it has fallen behind modern research practices.
This disconnect has created a gap between fundamental science and current regulatory standards, especially in assessing public health benefits and environmental impact. RegulatoryToolBox aims to bridge this gap by fostering collaboration and modernising regulation to reflect on advanced biofilm science.
Our mission is to improve decision-making around anti-biofilm products and processes by:
Evaluating novel biofilm methods
Reaching scientific and methodological consensus
Informing stakeholders and promoting educational initiatives
Our Working Groups
The RegulatoryToolBox mission and objectives are delivered through three interlinked working groups, each addressing a critical component of the regulatory-science pathway and collectively ensuring coherent, evidence-based progress across the Action:
Working Group 1
WG1 evaluates the advantages and limitations of existing and emerging biofilm technologies to determine their suitability as regulatory science tools. It assesses which models, methods, and approaches have the robustness, relevance, and reproducibility needed for regulatory use. WG1’s aim is to propose biofilm models and methods that can be standardised and formally recognised by regulatory bodies.
Working Group 2
Connecting research with regulation by converting biofilm data into actionable insights, WG2 develops decision-making frameworks and guidance for risk assessment, product evaluation, and claim substantiation across sectors. Its work identifies gaps in existing regulations, clarifies expectations for evidence, and proposes practical, biofilm-relevant pathways that regulators and industry can use to support informed, consistent decision making.
Working Group 3
WG3 leads the communication, dissemination, and outreach activities of the Action, ensuring that its outputs, events, and opportunities reach regulators, industry, academia, and the wider public. WG3 also raises awareness of biofilm-related challenges and develops educational resources to support capacity building and informed engagement across sectors.
News / Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
The RegulatoryToolBox project aims to modernize biofilm research and regulation by developing standardized methods, tools, and guidelines. It brings together academia, industry, and regulators to bridge gaps between scientific advancements and regulatory decision-making.
The project operates through three working groups focusing on evaluating biofilm technologies, translating data for regulatory use, and disseminating knowledge. Activities include workshops, publications, short-term scientific missions, and collaboration between diverse stakeholders.
The RegulatoryToolBox provides innovative tools and frameworks for biofilm research, improving public health, industrial efficiency, and environmental safety. It fosters collaboration, ensures reproducibility in biofilm studies, and enables informed regulatory decisions.
The project benefits researchers, regulators, industry professionals, and the public. Researchers gain access to cutting-edge methodologies; regulators receive reliable tools for decision-making; industries can innovate efficiently; and society benefits from improved health and environmental outcomes.
To access Groups and other LSOS modules, you must be registered on the LSOS Platform and have your organization’s profile created. Registration on the Platform is free and can be done via the link https://www.lifescienceopenspace.com/register
The Life Science Open Space is a platform dedicated to fostering innovation, collaboration, and advancement within the life sciences industry. It connects individuals such as researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts to enable knowledge exchange, cutting-edge projects, and partnership opportunities. Being part of this community allows meaningful collaborations, exploration of emerging trends, and contribution to shaping the future of life sciences.
Learn more on: https://www.lifescienceopenspace.com/home
Why is it worth it?
Project objectives
Create Consensus
Develop a unified framework for modernizing biofilm regulatory tools and methodologies.
Standardize Methods
Identify and validate biofilm research tools, ensuring their regulatory relevance.
Bridge Research and Regulation
Facilitate dialogue and collaboration between researchers and regulators for informed decision-making.
Educate Stakeholders
Provide educational initiatives for policy makers, students, and researchers to promote awareness of biofilm challenges and solutions.
Activities
Short-term Scientific Missions (STSMs)
- Gain access to specialized equipment and expertise
- Collaborate on biofilm-related methods and technologies
- Develop skills in translating biofilm research data into regulatory science
- Contribute to the standardization and validation of biofilm testing methods
Contact us
Have some questions
about the project?
Please get in touch with us at contact@biofilmtools.eu
or submit your inquiry using the contact form.