Join us online on 5 June 2026 for a seminar exploring how biofilm science can better support regulation, standardisation and decision-making in water systems.
Biofilms are a major challenge in drinking water, leisure water and industrial water systems. They can influence water quality, affect public health, complicate the control of microorganisms such as Legionella, and raise important questions for regulators, technology developers and water system operators.
The Biofilm Regulatory Toolbox COST Action invites researchers, regulators, industry representatives, public health experts and other stakeholders to take part in the online seminar “Trends in Environmental Biotechnology: Regulation and standardisation of biofilms in drinking, leisure and industrial water systems.”
The event will bring together experts working at the interface of science, policy, regulation and technology. Speakers will discuss current regulatory needs, routes for biofilm control technologies to reach the market, drinking water quality challenges, spa and thermal water treatment, and the role of biofilm testing in controlling Legionella in engineered water systems.
The seminar will also introduce the Biofilm Regulatory Toolbox COST Action CA23152 and offer participants an opportunity to learn how they can get involved in building consensus around biofilm regulatory decision-making.
Why join?
This seminar is an opportunity to:
- learn about current challenges in biofilm regulation and standardisation;
- hear from experts working across environmental biotechnology, public health, water quality and regulatory science;
- explore how modern biofilm research can support better policy and practice;
- connect with the Biofilm Regulatory Toolbox network;
- find out how to join COST Action CA23152 and contribute to future work.
Meeting details
Date: 5 June 2026
Time: 13:00–16:15 Amsterdam/Brussels time
Location: Online via Zoom
Registration fee: Free of charge
Programme highlights
The seminar will open with an introduction by Piet Lens and Paulina Rakowska, followed by a keynote lecture by Jen Iris Allan on rethinking the science-policy interface for chemicals, waste and pollution. The first session, chaired by Maria Salta, will focus on standards and regulations for drinking water, including European regulatory routes for biofilm control technologies and drinking water quality policy challenges. The second session, chaired by Geertje Van Keulen, will address water in leisure and industrial settings, with talks on spa thermal waters, Legionella control in engineered water systems, and an introduction to the Biofilm Regulatory Toolbox COST Action CA23152. The event will close with remarks from Piet Lens and Darla Goeres.
Download the programme
Full programme and Zoom access details are available in the event PDF:
[Download the seminar programme PDF]
We warmly invite everyone interested in biofilms, water quality, environmental biotechnology, regulation and standardisation to join the discussion and contribute to shaping the future of biofilm regulatory decision-making in Europe.