News Archive

Hamburg intends to bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This bid goes far beyond sports. It is a strategic project for the future of the city of Hamburg and its development in the coming decades.

After thoroughly reviewing the concept, we consider the bid to be modern, responsible, and focused on opportunities. That is why, as a company, we expressly support the chosen path.

Hamburg is moving forward with its bid for the 2036, 2040, or 2044 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with a concept that deliberately focuses on sustainability, practicality for everyday life, and genuine added value for the population.

Under the motto “An Opportunity for Everyone,” the city combines major sporting events with long-term urban development. The foundation is the Active City Strategy, which focuses on physical activity, health, and participation and aims to sustainably improve the quality of life in Hamburg.

Particularly noteworthy: The concept emphasizes short distances and a compact organizational structure. Around 85% of the sports venues are located within a radius of just seven kilometers. Many athletes can reach their competition venues quickly and efficiently. This creates “Games of Short Distances,” setting new standards both ecologically and organizationally.

Hamburg is also taking a clear approach to infrastructure. Most of the sports venues already exist or will be built temporarily and reused later. New facilities are being planned to provide long-term benefits for schools, clubs, and the wider community.

The concept views the entire city as a stage. Competitions will take place right in the heart of the urban landscape, ranging from existing arenas to innovative formats such as temporary sports areas in public spaces. The goal is an open, accessible sports festival that integrates people’s everyday lives.

Another focus is on social impacts. The Games are intended not only to be an event but also to provide impetus for:

• greater accessibility
• better mobility and infrastructure
• stronger participation in sports, especially for children and young people

At the same time, the process is designed to be transparent. Citizens have been able to contribute their perspectives through numerous participatory formats. On May 31, 2026, they will ultimately decide on an official bid via a referendum.

For businesses, this project opens up a wide range of opportunities, from economic dynamism and innovation potential to international positioning. At the same time, the goal remains clear: the Games are not meant to be just an event, but a sustainable project for the future of the entire city.

All information regarding Hamburg’s bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the upcoming referendum can be found on the official website: https://www.hamburg-activecity.de/olympia

"Clinical study on the influence of regular use of alcohol-based hand rubs on the skin microbiome" is the title of the poster that Dr. Florian H. H. Brill will present at ESCMID Global 2026 - the Congress of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. ESCMID Global is the largest international gathering of clinical microbiologists and infectious disease specialists and will take place this year from April 17-21, 2026, in Munich. The full program and further information about the congress can be found HERE.

As always, Dr. Brill will be available for personal discussions at the event in Munich. If you would like to arrange an appointment in advance, simply send an email to info@brillhygiene.com. We look forward to getting to know you or seeing you again there!

• Session type: Poster session
• Poster number : P3852
• Poster title: Clinical study on the influence of regular use of alcohol-based hand rubs on the skin microbiome
• Authors: FHH Brill, M Alawi, JH Klock, D Prasse, L Passvogel
• Session title: 08h. Disinfection & sterilisation (incl medical device reprocessing)
• Session date: 21 April 2026
• Session time and location : 12:00 - 13:30 in the Poster Hall B3
• Link to this program item: HERE
• Abstract: HERE

Look forward to the first edition of the 2026 Online Update on Hygiene and Infection Prevention, focusing on AI and digital tools (in hygiene). As part of the HIHeal (Hygiene, Infection & Health) next level innovation network, this event is jointly organized by Life Science Nord, the Hospital Hygiene Department at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the DR. BRILL INSTITUTE.

Topic of this edition: AI and digital tools (in hygiene). You can look forward to two conventional presentations and a live demo of an AI assistant.

Presentations (in German) and speakers:

• Einsatz digitaler Tools im Hygienemanagement - Bettenaufbereitung und OP-Instrumente
  (The Use of Digital Tools in Hygiene Management – Bed Preparation and Surgical Instruments)
  Tobias Gebhardt / Hypros GmbH
• Corona-Pandemie, Hawthorne-Effekt und Gruppenverhalten – welche Einblicke in das Händehygiene-Verhalten erlaubt elektronisches Monitoring?
  (The COVID-19 Pandemic, the Hawthorne Effect, and Group Behavior – What Insights Does Electronic Monitoring Provide into Hand Hygiene Behavior?)
  Dr. Heide Niesalla / BODE Chemie GmbH
• Live-Demo des Biomed_Advisor – Der KI-Assistent für Spitzenforschung
  (Live demo of Biomed_Advisor – The AI assistant for cutting-edge research)
  Katrin Böhler und Michael Haag / GRAU DATA GmbH

We cordially invite you to this event and look forward to your participation and the opportunity to exchange ideas with you and our experts. The event will take place on Zoom. You will automatically receive the link to the meeting via email along with your registration confirmation. You can find all further information and the registration form HERE.

The revised Guideline on the Environmental Risk Assessment of Medicinal Products for Human Use (EMEA/CHMP/SWP/4447/00 Rev. 1 – Corr.) came into force in September 2024. For pharmaceutical companies, it introduces additional requirements for Environmental Risk Assessments (ERA). We can support you in meeting these expectations – efficiently, scientifically robust, and fully aligned with the latest regulatory standards.
 
Our Services for Pharmaceutical Companies

• Systematic literature review in accordance with the current ERA guideline
• Gap analysis: identification of missing studies and data gaps
• Evaluation and conduct of Phase I/II ERAs
• Support in responding to authority queries

Why choose Dr. Brill Regulatory Services?
With more than 20 years of experience in environmental risk assessment, Heike Schimmelpfennig brings extensive expertise from industry, regulatory authorities, and international regulatory frameworks – including over 10 years at ECHA and collaborations with EMA. You will benefit from a unique combination of regulatory know how, scientific expertise, and hands on dossier experience.
 
Want to Ensure Full ERA Compliance? We support you from initial screening to developing complete assessment documents – compliant, efficient, and strategically sound.
 
Contact us for a non binding consultation - here: Contact.
 
Dr. Brill Regulatory Services – Your Partner for Regulatory Excellence in the Pharmaceutical Sector

"Experimental approaches to data generation for REACH compliance of multi-walled carbon nanotubes: environmental fate" is the title of the publication that appeared in the journal "Environmental Science: Nano", Issue 3/2026. Stefan Gartiser, Senior Scientist at Hydrotox Labor für Ökotoxikologie und Gewässerschutz GmbH, is one of the contributing authors. A PDF download of the publication is available on the Hydrotox website - HERE PDF - as well as online HERE (HTML).

A research article titled "Testing the biodegradability of difficult compounds: a future challenge for OECD/ISO standardization" has been published in the journal "Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology", Volume 110, article number 122, (2026). Among the authors is Stefan Gartiser, Senior Scientist at Hydrotox Labor für Ökotoxikologie und Gewässerschutz GmbH. A PDF version of the publication is available for download on the Hydrotox website - HERE PDF - as well as online HERE (Springer Nature Link).

BPC confirms safe use of ethanol (CAS No. 64‑17‑5) in biocidal products.

On February 23, 2026, the BPC finally adopted, by simple majority, the view that the safe use of ethanol as a disinfectant in product types 1, 2, and 4 has been demonstrated.

However, the decisive issue remains unresolved: The committee did not reach a final toxicological conclusion regarding a possible classification as carcinogenic or reprotoxic. Uncertainty therefore continues with regard to a future CLP classification—although the CMR classification, originally based on the oral consumption of alcoholic beverages, is, for the time being, off the table. Consequently, ethanol will also not be considered a candidate for substitution under Article 10 of the BPR for the time being.

It is expected that the Standing Committee on Biocidal Products will follow the BPC’s recommendation and approve the active substance for disinfection purposes. The ongoing new studies addressing more realistic exposure routes also offer further hope that a CMR classification can also be avoided in the future.

What might your next steps be? 
Should the European Commission approve ethanol for the relevant product types as anticipated, manufacturers will—based on the current situation—be required to submit their product dossiers to ECHA no earlier than March 2028 in order to continue marketing their ethanol-containing biocidal products.

If you market ethanol-containing products and are unsure which requirements you will face, we at Dr. Brill Regulatory Services are here as your reliable partner. We support you in understanding regulatory requirements, developing strategic options, and efficiently planning and implementing the entire authorisation process for your products.

In addition, we are planning to establish a consortium to coordinate the product authorisation of ethanol-based disinfectants in the European healthcare sector.

If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.

Please click here to contact us directly.

This is the title of a new paper recently published in the journal "pathogens. The authors of this comparative study on Candida species and Candidozyma auris in laundry (EN 17658) and surface (biofilm) disinfection include Prof. Dr. Dirk Bockmühl and Dr. Britta Brands from our Dr. Brill + Prof. Bockmühl GmbH Institute for Applied Hygiene. The abstract and a link to the publication can be found HERE.

From 16-17 September 2026, Mülheim will host PortPIC 2026 - the 7th In-Port Inspection & Cleaning Conference. Topics at PortPIC include aquatic invasive organisms, diver operations in ports, next-generation antifouling technologies, operators’ perspectives on cleaning, performance-based cleaning, regulations and guidelines, and robotic cleaning and inspection. Dr. Brill + Partner Institute for Antifouling and Biocorrosion will, of course, be there. We will inform you about the program and our contributions in due course - but please mark your calendars now, as we would be delighted to meet you or see you again in Mülheim!

On 1-2 October 2026, Norderney will once again become the gathering place for the antifouling community: That is when the third Antifouling Conference will take place there, an important industry gathering organized by the Maritime Cluster Northern Germany (Maritimes Cluster Norddeutschland, MCN) in collaboration with the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie, BSH), the German Sailing Association (Deutscher Motoryachtverband, DSV), and the German Motor Yacht Association (Deutscher Motoryachtverband, DMYV). The event will focus on innovative, environmentally friendly strategies to prevent fouling on ship hulls or other underwater structures.

A special highlight is the field trip to the Institute for Antifouling and Biocorrosion at Dr. Brill + Partner, which is hosting an exclusive visit to Norderney. On site, participants will gain insights into test facilities, laboratories, and ongoing research conducted under real-world conditions in a maritime environment.

The conference is complemented by a diverse program of presentations featuring contributions from renowned experts from academia, industry, and associations. It also offers numerous opportunities for in-depth discussion and networking. This year’s venue is located directly at the head of the pier, offering the best views of the Wadden Sea and the harbor entrance. At the end of the first day, an evening cruise on the Frisia XI and a barbecue at Dr. Brill + Partner provide the perfect setting for successful networking.

The event is free of charge, but only a limited number of spots are available. So be sure to mark your calendars now. We will provide details on the program, travel, and accommodations, etc., as soon as registration opens.

You can find our recap of the 2025 Antifouling Conference in Norderney, including the Biofouling Excursion, here: LINK

ICMCF 2026 - the 21st International Congress on Marine Corrosion and Fouling (ICMCF) - will take place this summer from 26-31 July 2026, in Berlin. Since its inaugural edition in France in 1964, the ICMCF has established itself as the leading international forum for scientific exchange on fouling and corrosion in the maritime sector. Over the decades, the congress has traveled the globe, bringing together researchers and experts from academia and industry. This unique mix fosters fruitful dialogue, strengthens collaboration, and supports the development of long-term professional relationships. True to this tradition, the upcoming ICMCF offers a wide-ranging, interdisciplinary program that presents the latest findings on biofouling and corrosion as well as innovative approaches to their prevention. The conference is organized by Fraunhofer IFAM, one of Europe’s leading research institutions in the field of applied materials science and surface technology.

Dr. Brill + Partner Institute for Antifouling and Biocorrosion will, of course, be represented at the ICMCF 2026 and is also expected to contribute to the program content (see below). We will inform you of further details in due course. Please feel free to use your visit to ICMCF 2026 to meet with our institute - we would be delighted to see you! Venue: Henry Ford Building, Freie Universität Berlin. All further information on ICMCF 2026, including registration, can be found here: www.icmcf2026.com

Submissions involving our institute (presentations and posters):

• Initial results of field and laboratory testing of non-biocidal and microplastic-reduced self-polishing and cleanable hard coatings (BioSHIP)
• Titel: North Sea – a perfect body of water for antifouling field tests
• The Blue Angel Ecolabel DE UZ 221: Sustainable antifouling solutions for maritime and inland shipping
• Titel: In situ cleaning and disinfection process for aquaculture systems using laser radiation underwater
• Titel: Field tests and AI-training for adaptive cleaning with an autonomous robot ‘LARABICUS’ (LABROID)

The e-learning course "Biofouling Management for Recreational Boats" already became available last year. Now, two new short videos have been created to further whet your appetite for this great e-learning course. You can find the videos at the following links:

• BSH Clip 1: "Biofouling - Invisible, but with major consequences"
• BSH Clip 2: "Good fouling protection starts with you!"

The e-learning course "Biofouling Management for Recreational Craft" is now available online. The course was created on behalf of the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH, Bundesamtes für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrografie) by our Institute for Antifouling and Biocorrosion on Norderney, in collaboration with Alex Jamil as film producer and Claudia James from HYGIENE COMPASS for making the course available on their online platform. For boat owners, clubs, associations and authorities, it serves as an awareness-raising, preventive measure with regard to the spread of non-native species, as well as to minimize the entry of harmful substances from antifouling coatings and emissions. In five chapters, the causes, development and effects of biofouling, protection against biofouling, alternative anti-fouling systems, cleaning technologies, biofouling management plans, regulations and further information options such as Fouling Atlas and Blue Angel are shown. Each chapter consists of a film followed by a questionnaire. The films last between 5 and 9 minutes, the questionnaires consist of 4 to 12 questions in multiple choice mode. The entire course takes about 45 minutes, but can also be completed in several stages. Participation is free of charge for everyone!

A short-term goal is to train "biofouling experts" in as many marinas as possible, who will inform users or club members about existing regulations and provide support, for example, in the choice of antifouling system (AFS) or the cleaning and maintenance of the AFS.

The long-term goal is to reduce the discharge of pollutants into the waters (inland, North Sea and Baltic Sea), CO₂ emissions and to minimize the introduction and spread of non-native species without negatively affecting the protection of fouling.

Detailed BSH press release in German languange - here: Link
Click here to go directly to the course in English language: e-learning course "Biofouling Management for Recreational Boats"

The German version can be found here: E-Learning-Kurs "Biofouling-Management für Sportboote"

We thank the partners involved:
BMDV-Expertennetzwerk
DSV Deutscher Segler-Verband
DMYV Deutscher Motoryachtverband
HYGIENE COMPASS
SportJobs Bildung und Bewegung