News

From 1 July 2026, a new requirement issued by ECHA comes into effect: for all renewal applications for the approval of biocidal active substances, the dossier data must be submitted mandatorily in IUCLID format.

What is changing?

ECHA has stipulated that, for renewal applications submitted from 1 July 2026 onwards, the following data must be available in IUCLID format:

• All documentation from the original application for approval of the biocidal active substance
• All relevant approval data in accordance with the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR)
• The data must be created or updated using the current version of IUCLID

Applications that do not comply with the new format requirements risk delays or rejection of the renewal procedure.

What does this mean for you?

If your company is planning a renewal of the active substance approval, or has already submitted an application, you must ensure that your existing dossier:

1. Has been updated to the latest version of IUCLID
2. Contains all relevant data completely and correctly in IUCLID format
3. Meets the formal requirements of the BPR

We are here to support you – efficiently and competently

Our Regulatory Affairs team has many years of experience in the preparation and updating of IUCLID dossiers for biocidal active substances.
We are happy to assist you with migrating your dossier to the current version of IUCLID.

Get in touch today

Contact us today for a non-binding consultation – here: Contact

Dr. Brill Regulatory Services – Your Trusted Partner for Biocidal Products Regulatory Compliance

The date is set: The 12th Conference of Applied Hygiene, Microbiology and Virology (CAHMV) will take place on 26 - 27 November 2026, organized by DR. BRILL INSTITUTES. The CAHMV serves as a premier European multidisciplinary platform that bridges the gap between academic research, regulatory science, and industrial application in the fields of infection prevention and antimicrobial efficacy.

Please ensure this date is blocked in your calendar to join international scientists and industry R&D leaders for an advanced scientific discourse.

Key Scientific and Regulatory Focus Areas:

• Interactive Scientific Workshop: Following the success of the 2025 edition, the conference will feature again a dedicated practical workshop focusing on methodological paradigms in efficacy testing.
• The legendary lecture "Overview of development of efficacy testing of disinfectants, antiseptics, wound dressings, and antimicrobial surfaces 2031" - one of the highlights of every CAHMV, held by Dr. Florian H. H. Brill, including methodological updates and harmonization of standards for disinfectants, antiseptics, and biocidal surfaces.
• Translational Microbiology & Virology: Advanced research in pathogen inactivation, emerging resistance mechanisms, and novel disinfection technologies.
• Regulatory Science & Compliance: Comprehensive insights into current European Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) pathways, data requirements, and risk assessments.
• Expert Discourse: Peer-to-peer networking connecting international industry experts and academic researchers.

To accommodate our global community, the 12th CAHMV will be hosted again as a hybrid event – welcoming participants on-site in Hamburg as well as virtually via our online livestream. The preliminary scientific program and registration details will be published shortly on the official CAHMV portal. Please note: Only the program in the main hall (Kaffeebörse) will be streamed online and recorded!

We anticipate a stimulating scientific exchange and look forward to your participation. For your non-binding pre-registration, feel free to contact us already now via email at claudia.steinfath@brillhygiene.com.

The Hydrotox Labor für Ökotoxikologie und Gewässerschutz GmbH team was represented with a booth at the annual meeting of SETAC Europe (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry) in Maastricht, the Netherlands, from May 17-21, 2026, together with colleagues from Dr. Brill Regulatory GmbH. Among the more than 2,500 participants from more than 60 countries, we were able to meet many of our long-standing customers and colleagues, but also make many new contacts.

The scientific program was again very comprehensive with several thousand posters and up to ten parallel sessions and included topics such as persistence assessment, animal-free replacement methods, endocrine effects and regulatory issues, which were particularly interesting for us.

Elena Perabo gave a presentation on our project on the sponge city, which is about to be completed, entitled "Sustainable green roofs for the implementation of the sponge city: Determination of ecotoxicologically safe construction products for green roofs", which met with great interest. Andrea Brunswik-Titze, together with Ulrich Jöhncke and colleagues from the Federal Environment Agency, presented a poster with the titel "Round Robin Test: consolidation of OECD ready biodegradability tests", which was also presented in a Poster Corner. It illustrated the actual status of our project to organize that round robin test. Furthermore, Andrea Brunswik-Titze, Jessica Bühler and Marie Canon presented a poster on methodological approaches in the testing of the biodegradability of polymers entitled "Biodegradability of polymers in aquatic test systems: ISO 14852 - feasibility study for different concentrations of test item and inoculum". In a third poster, first results of the project on the assessment of endocrine effects induced by construction products were presented with the title "Assessment of endocrine effects of construction products in the environment" by Elena Perabo and Martina Springmann together with Peter Behnisch from BioDetection Systems in Amsterdam. And in a fourth poster, Heike Schimmelpfennig, Andrea Brunswik-Titze, and Elena Perabo presented a comparison of exposure models used to simulate the entry of substances into various environmental compartments within the risk assessments under the legal frameworks of biocides, plant protection products, and chemicals under REACH, titled "Comparison of exposure modelling tools used in different regulatory areas."

We are very happy about the successful participation in this conference and look forward to next year, when the conference will take place in Geneva.

If you are interested in learning more about any of the topics presented in Maastricht or about the other services offered by our institutes, we would be happy to assist you! Contact: HERE

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 36th Annual Meeting

For the economic development agency Hamburg Invest, Dr. Florian H. H. Brill is the "Innovator of the Month". We are, of course, delighted to receive this award! Read more about it in Hamburg Invest's LinkedIn post - here: LINK.

Hamburg Invest is the one-stop agency for relocation and investment in Hamburg as well as the main partner of Hamburg’s business sector on all topics relating to business development. On their international LinkedIn profile, Hamburg Invest highlights innovation topics in industry clusters, demonstrates the future attractiveness of Hamburg as a business location, and seeks active exchange with decision-makers and experts from all over the world. In addition, Hamburg Invest presents exciting companies and innovation projects from Hamburg and acts as an interface to local institutions and associations.

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

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.

Again with strong participation from the DR. BRILL INSTITUTES Group, the SETAC Europe 36th Annual Meeting will take place in Maastricht from May 17-21, 2026, under the theme "Embrace the Outlier: In Science, Regulations, and Networks." Dr. Brill Regulatory Services GmbH and Hydrotox GmbH will both be involved, both in terms of personnel and content – and, following last year's great success, we will once again have our own exhibition stand!

Our commitment in detail:

Exhibition booth - Booth No. 37: Hydrotox and Dr. Brill Regulatory Services will once again be represented with a joint booth at the SETAC Europe Annual Meeting.

Presentation title: Assessment of Endocrine Effects of Construction Products in the Environment
Presentation type: Poster
Session title: 6.04 - Endocrine Disruption: Scientific and Regulatory Challenges
Presentation day: Monday, 18 May 2026
Authors: Elena Perabo, Martina Springmann - Hydrotox GmbH, Freiburg i.Br. 
Co-Author: Dr. Peter Behnisch - BioDetection Systems b.v., Amsterdam

Presentation title: Biodegradability of Polymers in Aquatic Test Systems: ISO 14852 - Feasibility Study for Different Concentrations of Test Item and Inoculum
Presentation type: Poster
Session title: 3.18 - Microplastics Research: Beyond Fear-Mongering, Towards Trustworthy Science
Presentation day: Monday, 18 May 2026
Authors: Andrea Brunswik-Titze, Jessica Bühler, Marie Canon - Hydrotox GmbH, Freiburg i.Br., Germany

Presentation title: Sustainable green roofs for the implementation of the sponge city: Determination of ecotoxicologically safe construction products for green roofs
Presentation type: Poster
Session title: 3.09 - Environmental Forensics: Tracking Sources and Evaluating the Effects of Chemicals in Urban and Other Environments
Presentation day: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Authors: Elena Perabo, Dr. Christoph Hafner - Hydrotox GmbH, Freiburg i.Br., Germany

Presentation title: Round Robin Test to prepare for consolidation of tests for ready biodegradability according to OECD 301/310
Presentation type: Poster & Poster Corner Discussion
Session title: 3.04 - Advancing Understanding of Environmental Persistence of Chemicals
Presentation day: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Authors:
Ulrich Jöhncke - UBA, Section IV 2.3. Chemicals 
Andrea Brunswik-Titze - Hydrotox GmbH, Freiburg i.Br. 
Stefan Gartiser - Hydrotox GmbH, Freiburg i.Br.
Daniel Sättler - UBA, Section IV 2.3. Chemicals
Monika Ratte - ToxRat Solutions GmbH & Co. KG, Alsdorf
Benjamin Daniels - ToxRat Solutions GmbH & Co. KG, Alsdorf

Presentation title: Comparison of exposure modelling tools used in different regulatory areas
Presentation type: Poster
Session title: 3.02 - Advances in Exposure Modelling: Closing the Gap between Scientific Innovation and Regulatory Relevance
Presentation day: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Presenter: Heike Schimmelpfennig

Our colleagues on site are already looking forward to welcoming what we hope will be a large number of our customers, as well as potential new customers, to our attractive booth - Booth No. 37. If you would like to arrange an appointment in advance, please feel free to contact us, e.g., by email here: info@brillhygiene.com

Use your participation in the SETAC Europe Annual Meeting for a personal meeting with us! The following colleagues will be present in Maastricht: 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), Jessica Bühler (Study Director Biodegradation), Elene Perabo (Test Leader Ecotoxicology, Third Party Research Projects) and Dr. Christoph Hafner (Head of GLP Test Facility, Customer Support).

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

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 36th Annual Meeting

Our updated Statement of GLP Compliance is now available for download. It covers category 9 (according ChemVwV-GLP No. 5.3/OECD guidance): “Microbiological and biochemical testing of cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization procedures” as well as “In-vitro toxicological testing.” If you are interested in testing according to GLP category 9, please get in touch!

The Statement of GLP Compliance ensures compliance with the OECD principles of good laboratory practice (GLP) as defined in the OECD guideline “OECD Principles of Good Laboratory Practice, ENV/MC/CHEM(98)17.” This includes, in particular, the proper planning, conduct, monitoring, documentation, and archiving of non-clinical safety studies so that the results are regulatory recognized and legally valid. GLP certification thus guarantees that our studies meet the requirements of national and international regulatory authorities and provides the necessary legal and evidentiary validity for regulatory submissions.

Our institutes' certifications can be found here: LINK

From February 9-12, 2026, the WHX World Health Expo will take place in Dubai, and Dr. Florian Brill will be in attendance. The exhibition, formerly known as "Arab Health", is one of the world's leading platforms for health and medical technology. If you are interested in meeting with Dr. Brill on site, you are welcome to make an appointment for a meeting now. Just send an email to info@brillhygiene.com. We would be delighted to get to know you or see you again in Dubai!

2025 was another very active year for Dr. Brill Institutes, marked by inspiring encounters, intensive professional exchanges, joint activities, and social engagement. In addition to the many professional events in which we participated once again – such as our own 11th Conference of Applied Hygiene, Microbiology and Virology (CAHMV) – the focus was, of course, once again on people and partnership.

A particular highlight was our wonderful summer party, which took place together with colleagues and customers in the courtyard of our headquarters in Hamburg-Hummelsbüttel. Two milestones were celebrated at the same time: 30 years of Dr. Brill + Partner GmbH and 15 years of management by Dr. Florian H. H. Brill. In a relaxed summer atmosphere – and with almost no rain! – personal exchanges once again demonstrated how valuable trusting cooperation and long-standing partnerships are to us.

2025 was also a strong year in terms of sports: our participation in the Blankeneser Heldenlauf (Blankenese Heroes Run) demonstrated team spirit, cohesion, and commitment – and above all, it was a lot of fun for everyone involved!

Social responsibility remains an important concern for us. That is why we made donations again at Christmas, once more supporting FUTUREPRENEUR e.V. and tat für tat: malawi e.V. – two organizations that are committed to education, development, and fair opportunities in the long term. Our colleagues at Hydrotox also largely refrained from sending Christmas cards by post and instead made a donation to Ökostation Freiburg – Das Umweltbildungszentrum mit Charme (Freiburg Eco Station – The Environmental Education Center with Charm).

With gratitude, we look back on a varied and positive 2025 – and are very much looking forward to the next steps now! Some exciting innovations and projects are already in the pipeline – more on that soon.

We are starting the new year with confidence and energy – and wish all our employees, partners, and customers for 2026 lots of luck, health, and success on all levels!

We are extremely proud and delighted to welcome Dr. Toni Luise Meister as a new member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Dr. Brill Institutes. She combines excellent scientific expertise with broad experience in modern virology. With her remarkable scientific career, Toni Meister brings precisely the interdisciplinary expertise, strategic vision, and scientific credibility that will strengthen the Scientific Advisory Board of Dr. Brill Institutes in the long term:

Toni Luise Meister is a scientist at the IIRVD - Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development of the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine.

Toni Meister earned a Bachelor of Science in Plant Biotechnology with a focus on molecular biology methods from Leibniz University Hannover in 2015. In 2017, she completed her Master of Science in Biomedicine at Hannover Medical School.

In 2021, she received her doctorate from the Department of Molecular and Medical Virology at Ruhr University Bochum. Her doctoral thesis focused on viral and host determinants in the hepatitis E virus replication cycle. She was also involved in various research projects on SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses.

After completing her doctorate, Toni Meister worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the same department, where she was able to expand her virological knowledge of a wide range of viruses. Her work has been recognized several times with the Best Season Paper Award from the Society for Virology. She also served as an expert in the drafting of guidelines for dealing with aerosol-transmissible pathogens and is a member of the Society for Virology (GfV) and Infect-Net.

Since October 2023, she has been working as a senior postdoc in the DZIF research area Emerging Infections (link: HERE) at the Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development.

Link to Toni Meister's DZIF junior research group "Molecular Virology of Emerging Viruses": HERE

She is also an associate project leader (PI) in the Collaborative Research Center 1648 "Emerging Viruses". Link: HERE

ORCID  ---  Contact  ---  Scientific Advisory Board

Do you use biocidal products containing ethanol (CAS No. 64-17-5)? If so, you should pay close attention!

Biocidal products containing ethanol as an active substance currently benefit from national transitional measures that simplify the marketing process. In Germany, for example, such products can currently be marketed without authorisation. However, this situation may change in the future. The competent Greek authority has been evaluating ethanol for product types PT1, PT2 and PT4 for over 15 years. As a 'backlog dossier', it still falls under the transitional provisions of the old Biocidal Products Directive (BPD, Directive 98/8/EC).

In October 2024, the BPC Human Health Working Group reached the preliminary conclusion that ethanol exhibits potential carcinogenic and reprotoxic properties. This means that the active substance meets the ‘exclusion criteria’ of the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) No 528/2012) and is considered a candidate for substitution in accordance with Article 10(1). A public consultation was then launched.

Public consultation and decision-making

From 25 February to 28 April 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) conducted a public consultation to gather information on possible alternatives to ethanol and any potential exemptions. In response to this call, the Agency received 356 submissions from industry, associations, and institutions.

However, at the Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) meeting on 26 November 2025, no consensus could be reached on the potential hazards of ethanol and its alternatives. Apparently, concerns about the possible far-reaching consequences of a CMR classification and its proportionality were too great. From today's perspective, a final BPC opinion is not expected before May 2026. The Standing Committee on Biocidal Products, consisting of representatives from the member states, will then make the actual decision on the approval of ethanol. A concrete timetable for this is not yet available. We will continue to keep you informed of all relevant developments.

What are your next steps?

If the EU Commission approves ethanol for the relevant product types, a two-year transition period will begin. From today's perspective, manufacturers would therefore be required to submit their product dossiers to the ECHA by 2028 at the earliest in order to maintain market access for their products.

If you manufacture or sell ethanol-containing products and are unsure about the steps you need to take, Dr. Brill Regulatory Services can support you.

We can help you to understand the regulatory requirements, evaluate options for action, and design the entire authorisation process for your affected products strategically and efficiently.

We are planning to establish a consortium to coordinate the approval of ethanol-based disinfectants for use in the European healthcare sector.

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

Please click here to contact us directly.