News Archive

The relevance of UV disinfection processes for hospital hygiene is the subject of a new publication with Dr. Florian H. H. Brill as contributing author, which was recently published in HosCom Hospital Communication International. The publication and all further details can be found HERE.

You are developing products for removing DNA or RNA from surfaces? We now offer decontamination performance testing according to established molecular biology standards. Based on carrier testing in the field of chemical disinfectants, combined with PCR analysis, you receive reliable proof of your product's effectiveness – whether for quality control, product approval, or customer communication. Contact us; we would be happy to advise you! For your orders and inquiries by email, click HERE.

“Effects of Antimicrobial Compounds in a Complex Biofilm Sink Drain Model” is the title of the presentation Prof. Bockmühl will give at BIOFILMS 11. The conference will take place from 13 - 15 May 2025 in Cardiff (UK). Prof. Bockmühl's presentation is part of the session “Preventing Biofilms: Design through knowledge-based approaches” on Day 2, Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 09:00-09:40.

We will also be represented with a poster. Title: "Evaluation of the bead assay for biofilms to investigate biofilms formed by different Candida species and their resistance to known yeasticidal disinfectants".

The conference is showcasing the broad scientific and societal opportunities and challenges of microbial biofilms. A key objective is to capitalise on the interdisciplinary nature of this research topic by fostering discussion and catalysing the exchange of ideas across boundaries.

The entire program and all further details, also for your registration, can be found here: BIOFILMS 11

In addition to Prof. Bockmühl, Dr. Britta Brands from the Dr. Brill + Prof. Bockmühl GmbH Institute for Applied Hygiene will also be in Cardiff. You are therefore welcome to use the conference for a personal exchange with our colleagues on site. To arrange an appointment, please contact us by e-mail HERE.

We look forward to seeing you again or getting to know you for the first time in Cardiff!

The Hydrotox Team is happy to host the "JUCOET - The Youth Organization of the GDCh Division of Environmental Chemistry & Ecotoxicology" in our lab on 25 June 2025

In recent weeks, we have again been present at various expert groups on standardization.

A milestone has been reached with the publication of the draft of the revised DIN 19573 in April 2025. Dr. Tilman Gehrke in particular has been working on this revision since 2018. The main change is that the new standard now describes for the first time in a standard the method for material testing of biogenic sulphuric acid corrosion developed by Professor Sand and Professor Bock at the University of Hamburg in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Biological testing of concrete and mortar formulations is now the method of choice for the highest damage class XWW3. We have been offering this method for over 10 years now in cooperation with Dr. Holger Wack from the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT in Oberhausen (see at our website "Material testing to determine biogenic sulfuric acid corrosion"). After the public comment phase, the standard is expected to be finally published this year. It has already served and will continue to serve as a decisive guideline for local authorities when selecting the right concrete and mortar formulations for the renovation and new construction of wastewater transport pipes. The internationalization of DIN into a European standard is also running in parallel, and our expert Dr. Tilman Gehrke is of course also involved in the corresponding committee at CEN.

There were also important developments in CEN/TC 216, which were supported in particular by Dr. Florian H. H. Brill. As convenor of the strategic working group (WG 5), he took part in the TC plenary meeting in Berlin at the beginning of February, where, among other things, a structural reform of the standards in the TC was initiated on his initiative. The principle of centrally regulating central methodological details, such as EN 12353 and EN 14885, is being introduced and consistently implemented. In the medium term, this will lead to a significant simplification of the standard structure, i.e. significantly fewer standards overall, and at the same time to fewer misunderstandings because similar methodological details will no longer be presented in many places. The kick-off meeting of the Harmonization and Standardization Task Force, which is organized under WG 5 and will focus on this topic, was held in line with this. The project with the highest priority is the revision of EN 12353, for which Dr. Jürgen Gebel has taken over the project management. This standard is to be expanded and in future will also include the preparation of test organizations for efficacy testing, so that media, cultivation conditions, strain selection, strain maintenance, etc. are described in a central location. This information can then gradually disappear from the individual standards, making them simpler. As these contents are the main difference between comparable standards that describe the same test principle, they can be merged. One example is the series of standards EN 14561, EN 14562, EN 14563, which describe the test method for testing the effectiveness of manual instrument disinfectants and which are currently being revised. The responsible WG 1 is now considering whether these three standards should become one standard. In WG 1, Dr. Florian H. H. Brill and Anna Ulatowski are also leading the project to revise EN 14348, which is now entering the final phase. Anna took part in a project meeting to clarify the last open points. Dr. Florian H. H. Brill has also taken over the management of the "Polio Replacement" task force. The WHO wants to eradicate polio from the earth and has therefore also asked the ECHA and CEN to remove the poliovirus as a test virus from EN 14476 and the ECHA efficacy guidance by 2026. The dynamic group has already made great progress and identified two possible alternative viruses. These are the EMCV 1 strain Hungary and the Coxsackie virus strain B5. Compared to poliovirus, both viruses are now the subject of extensive ring trials, which should be completed by the end of the year. The main objective is to identify a virus strain that has a comparable resistance to the poliovirus and is also relevant in the field of application. Our virus experts Dr. Dajana Paulmann and Dr. Britta Becker are of course just as involved in this as in the further development of the 4-field test for virucidal testing, which is nearing technical completion.

We will continue to support this important voluntary work.

Dr. Brill Institute is expanding its range of services for conducting Clinical Studies on test subjects with microbiological endpoints at its Hamburg site. As part of the renovation and relocation, we have created new opportunities. The new offering relates in particular to studies to prove the antimicrobial effect of products that are applied to uninjured skin or mucous membranes as well as studies on the skin microbiome and changes to it through the application of products. We have been carrying out tests for many years, particularly on the effectiveness of hand disinfectants and skin antiseptics.

With Ralf Freese, we have now brought an investigator into the team and with Dr. Saskia Borregaard a GCP expert for the regulatory framework. This enables us to offer everything from a single source for medical device and drug studies at GCP (Good Clinical Practice) level, from writing the study protocol and advising clients on useful and helpful microbiological endpoints by our expert Dr. Florian H. H. Brill, to submission to the ethics committee, recruitment and education of test subjects, conducting the study, taking samples from the test subjects, microbiological evaluation and reporting.

However, we are also open to sub-steps in which our GCP experience is helpful to you. We are happy to act as a microbiology laboratory to take over the analysis of samples in clinical trials and provide sampling kits, for example. We are of course also available as a study center including a microbiological laboratory if you can and want to map the regulatory part differently.

We look forward to receiving your inquiries, which will be dealt with personally by Dr. Florian H. H. Brill and his team.

Contact by email: HERE

With rich participation of the DR. BRILL INSTITUTES Group, the SETAC Europe Annual Meeting will take place in Vienna from May 11-15, 2025 - under the overall theme “Innovation for Tomorrow: Progress in Safe and Sustainable Concepts.” For our part, Dr. Brill Regulatory Services GmbH and Hydrotox GmbH are both involved, both in terms of personnel and content - and for the first time even with their own exhibition stand!

Our commitment in detail:

Session 6.07: “Environmental Risk Assessment under Biocides and other EU legislations” with presentation by Heike Schimmelpfennig, Dr. Brill Regulatory Services GmbH, on “Comparison of Environmental Exposure Assessment Strategies across Different EU Legislation”
Chair: Andrea Brunswik-Titze, Hydrotox GmbH
Co-chair: Aiga Latsone, ECHA, Heike Schimmelpfennig, Dr. Brill Regulatory Services GmbH

Poster contributions from Hydrotox GmbH:

• Elena Perabo, Dr. Christoph Hafner:
  "Sustainable green roofs for the implementation of the sponge city: Determination of ecotoxicologically safe construction products for green roofs"
• Andrea Brunswik-Titze, Stefan Gartiser:
  "Consolidation of OECD tests for ready biodegradability on the example of OECD 310"

Exhibition booth - Booth No. 3: For the first time, Hydrotox and Dr. Brill Regulatory Services will be represented with a joint booth at the SETAC Europe Annual Meeting.

Our colleagues on site are already looking forward to welcoming a hopefully large number of our customers and, of course, potential new customers to the beautifully styled stand - Booth No. 3. If you would like to make an appointment in advance, please contact us, e.g. by email here: info@brillhygiene.com

One-day free tickets: A small number of SETAC one-day free tickets are still available at Hydrotox, which we will be happy to pass on to you. If you are interested, please contact Dr. Christoph Hafner directly by email at hafner@hydrotox.de.

Use your participation in the SETAC Europe Annual Meeting for a personal meeting with us! The following colleagues will be present in Vienna: From Dr. Brill Regulatory Services Dr. Gunnar Kleist (Director Regulatory Services) and Heike Schimmelpfennig (Senior Manager Regulatory Affairs), as well as from Hydrotox Andrea Brunswik-Titze (Team Leader and Test Leader Biodegradability), Marie Bechstein (Test Leader Biodegradability), Elene Perabo (Test Leader Ecotoxicology, Third Party Research Projects) and Dr. Christoph Hafner (Head of GLP Test Facility, Customer Support).

The SETAC Europe Annual Meeting is an annual conference of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Europe that brings together scientists, policy makers and industry representatives to discuss current issues in the fields of environmental toxicology, ecotoxicology and environmental chemistry.

Main features of the conference:

• Topics: Environmental risk research, life cycle assessment, regulatory developments and scientific policy advice
• Formats: Scientific sessions, plenary lectures, training sessions and networking events
• Participants: 2,000-2,500 experts from over 60 countries

The conference serves as a platform for the exchange of new findings and promotes cooperation between research, industry and authorities.

Link: SETAC Europe 35th Annual Meeting

Dr. Thomas Eberlein, pioneer of wound healing and valued mentor, has passed away at the age of 57. His work shaped generations - both professionally and personally.

Dr. Florian Brill: "For me personally, as for my entire team, Thomas was an extremely pleasant person. I don't know anyone who has been so approachable and always met everyone at eye level. His expertise is beyond question and he was a good friend to me for almost 20 years - it doesn't get any better than that. I'm still shocked and can't believe that we can no longer see and talk to each other. I love you forever, my dear Thomas."

Dr. Thomas Eberlein was 57 years old

Dr. Thomas Eberlein died on 21 March 2025 at the age of 57. As a specialist in dermatology and allergology, he was an important pioneer in the field of wound healing. He studied human medicine at the Technical University of Dresden and then continued to work as a doctor at the Clinic for Dermatology. He specialized early on in the field of tissue repair. He became a qualified dermatologist in 2000 and an allergologist/immunologist a year later.

In addition to his clinical work, Eberlein developed into a committed teacher and mentor. As medical director, he worked for several international training systems and played a key role in shaping the Academy for Certified Wound Management (ZWM) in Zurich. He was an integral part of the academy for over 25 years and taught generations of future wound management professionals. But he was a loyal friend and reliable partner of Gerhard Kammerlander, the Academy's Managing Director, for even longer.

Internationally influential work

His work extended far beyond the German-speaking world: with over 280 specialist articles, co-authorships in medical textbooks and more than 630 lectures - including around 150 at international congresses - he played a decisive role in shaping the scientific discourse on wound healing. He was a consultant, researcher, certified wound management expert and active member of numerous professional societies.

As a speaker, he was a welcome guest at the Interdisciplinary Wound Congress (IWC) in Cologne, where he always shared his expertise on an equal footing. He also repeatedly lent his weighty voice to the Rechtsdepesche für das Gesundheitswesen and contributed witty specialist articles on the subject of skin and wound healing.

Companions and companions describe Eberlein as “one of the most honest” doctors, full of “integrity and warmth”. He died suddenly after a short, serious illness. With his death, the medical world has lost a tireless pioneer whose work has left its mark.

The obituary and the photo are courtesy of Rechtsdepeche Portal für Politik und Recht im Gesundheitswesen. Link: Rechtsdepeche

For us as a testing laboratory, the wishes of our customers are of course always our top priority. Naturally, we want to continuously improve our service for you. To make this particularly successful, we have prepared a very short survey. We would like to know: What are the decisive reasons for customers to order from a service provider?

Link: SURVEY - We greatly appreciate your participation in the survey.

At the free Online Update Hygiene und Infektionsprävention #17 on the topic of “Multiresistente Erreger" (Multi-resistant pathogens) on 8 April 2025, Dr. Florian H. H. Brill will give a lecture in German entitled “Wirksamkeit von Flächendesinfektionsmitteln gegen klinische Isolate Multiresistenter Erreger" (Effectiveness of surface disinfectants against clinical isolates of multi-resistant pathogens). Use the Online Update #17 to find out about important questions on the topic of “Multi-resistant pathogens” and to exchange ideas with experts from clinics, research, politics and industry. You can find all information, including on the two other presentations, as well as for your registration under the following link:
#17 - Multi-resistant pathogens

The Online Update Hygiene und Infektionsprävention is organized as a cooperation event within the framework of HIHeal by Life Science Nord, the Department of Hospital Hygiene of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf and DR. BRILL INSTITUTES.

“Effects of Antimicrobial Compounds in a Complex Biofilm Sink Drain Model” is the title of the presentation Prof. Bockmühl will give at BIOFILMS 11. The conference will take place from 13 - 15 May 2025 in Cardiff (UK). Prof. Bockmühl's presentation is part of the session “Preventing Biofilms: Design through knowledge-based approaches” on Day 2, Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 09:00-09:40.

The conference is showcasing the broad scientific and societal opportunities and challenges of microbial biofilms. A key objective is to capitalise on the interdisciplinary nature of this research topic by fostering discussion and catalysing the exchange of ideas across boundaries.

The entire program and all further details, also for your registration, can be found here: BIOFILMS 11

In addition to Prof. Bockmühl, Dr. Britta Brands from the Dr. Brill + Prof. Bockmühl GmbH Institute for Applied Hygiene will also be in Cardiff. You are therefore welcome to use the conference for a personal exchange with our colleagues on site. To arrange an appointment, please contact us by e-mail HERE.

We look forward to seeing you again or getting to know you for the first time in Cardiff!

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 German language: E-Learning-Kurs "Biofouling-Management für Sportboote"

A version of the course in English language will follow within the next weeks.

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