News

Probiotic cleaners are becoming increasingly important in modern hygiene concepts. With our new service, we now offer an innovative, practical testing approach that is specifically tailored to the special characteristics of microbial cleaning formulations. The method is based on the targeted further development of established testing procedures and enables a realistic assessment of cleaning performance and long-term effects. This allows probiotic and conventional cleaning agents to be compared under identical conditions and evaluated on a sound basis. Manufacturers and developers thus obtain a reliable basis for comprehensively testing and further developing the performance of probiotic products. If you are interested or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us - we will be happy to advise you individually.

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

Biofilms are an often underestimated risk to hygiene and product safety. They serve as a reservoir for pathogens and antibiotic-resistant bacteria especially in water-carrying systems such as drains, wet rooms, or sinks. This is exactly where our new, scientifically based testing service comes in. Based on the methodology developed in the EU COMBAT project, we test disinfectants and hygiene solutions under realistic, practical conditions. We use biofilm samples from real environments, e.g., from hospital or household drains. This allows products to demonstrate their true performance in everyday use.  At the heart of our innovation is a specially developed U-bend model that realistically replicates the complex environment of a drain. In this system, biofilms develop as they do in practice – resistant, heterogeneous, and challenging. This is exactly where we test the effectiveness of disinfectants. Through parallel tests with control samples and state-of-the-art analyses, we deliver reliable, reproducible results. On request, we offer further investigations, including sequencing. Our new service is flexible and can be adapted to different water-carrying systems. It provides certainty where traditional testing methods reach their limits. In line with our SIMreal approach: practical, innovative, and scientifically tested.  If you are interested, please feel free to contact us. We will advise you individually on your requirements.

On 27-28 November 2025, the 11th Conference of Applied Hygiene, Microbiology and Virology (CAHMV) took place. The conference, organised by DR. BRILL INSTITUTES, once again impressed participants on site at the maritime AMERON Hamburg Hotel Speicherstadt and online on their screens with a wide range of specialist presentations and other highlights. Workshop premiere with extraordinary insights: For the first time since 2019, CAHMV kicked off with a practice-oriented workshop on the topic of “Efficacy testing of antimicrobial products.” Exclusive video insights into our test laboratories in Hamburg and Bremen, as well as the explanations by Dr. Andreas Kampe and Dr. Dajana Paulmann, ensured a lively and informative start. High-caliber keynotes: Professor Dr. Martin Exner explained the crucial importance of water quality for infection prevention and control in healthcare. Professor Dr. Andreas Voss spoke about current developments influencing infection prevention: from AI to environmental protection. On the second day of the conference, Dr. Florian H. H. Brill gave a comprehensive overview of the status and future development of efficacy testing of antimicrobial products. Diverse specialist sessions and active exchange: Sessions led by Professor Eike Steinmann and Professor Jörg Steinmann offered further exciting insights into topics such as (re-)emerging viruses, AI-supported sequencing, and genome profiling. The session led by Dr. Gunnar Kleist focused on regulatory developments, while the presentations in the session led by Professor Dirk Bockmühl addressed topics related to household hygiene. The panel discussion identified the following three areas for improvement for the REFIT of the BPR: 1.) We must emphasize much more strongly than before the indispensable importance of the application of biocidal products, e.g., for infection prevention, food, medical device, and drug production, as well as the sustainable use of materials. 2.) We need a risk-benefit assessment for the evaluation of biocidal products, not just a risk assessment as has been the case to date. 3.) We need an innovation booster for sustainable active substances and biocidal products. To achieve this, the process must become faster and more agile. The active participation of the attendees and the excellent networking in the breaks and during the pre-Christmas evening program rounded off the conference perfectly. We would like to thank all speakers and participants for their commitment, which once again made this event an outstanding success. CAHMV 2025 reaffirms its position as a high-caliber platform for professional exchange in the field of applied hygiene, microbiology, and virology. We look forward to the next CAHMV conference!

UPDATE: Registration for CAHMV 2025 in Hamburg is still open until the end of this week. Start your last-minute registration now! We look forward to welcoming you as a participant on November 27 + 28, 2025. Registration for our CAHMV online livestream will remain open after this date. Take the chance to participate in our 11th Conference of Applied Hygiene, Microbiology and Virology 2025, which will be a very special CAHMV! As already announced, for the first time since 2019, the CAHMV 2025 begins with a workshop. This workshop entitled "Efficacy testing of antimicrobial products" will include video insights from our testing labs - an absolute premiere! This workshop and its video insight will deal with the following tests - don't miss it, and register now! Chemical-thermal textile disinfection: EN 16616:2022 Hygienic handrub: EN 1500 vs. ASTM E2755 Surface disinfection with mechanical action: EN 16615 Instrument disinfection: EN 14561, EN 14562, EN 14563 Surface disinfection without mechanical action: EN 13697 Quantitative suspension tests Incubation and colony counting Some of the further program highlights of this year's CAHMV are: Keynote speakers of the CAHMV 2025 are Professor Dr. Martin Exner with a lecture on the impact of water quality on infection prevention and control in health care systems, and Professor Dr. Andreas Voss with his lecture on current developments with influence on infection prevention from AI to Environmental Protection. Dr. Florian H. H. Brill starts the second conference day with his legendary presentation on the latest developments in the efficacy evaluation of antimicrobial products. Professor Dr. Eike Steinmann and Professor Dr. Jörg Steinmann are chairs of the extensive Session "Hot topics Infection Prevention & Control" with a large number of also exciting presentations. Regarding BPR, you can look forward to a session entitled "Current Regulatory Developments BPR" and to a lively panel discussion "Assessment for antimicrobial products - Are we valuing the importance of biocidal products sufficiently with the current BPR?". The program will be completed by Dr. Dirk Bockmühl's sessions on "Hygiene in Households". Several colleagues from our Institutes will also be present and are already looking forward to meeting you in person during one of the breakes. Therefore, on 27 + 28 November 2025, we welcome you again at the AMERON Hamburg Hotel Speicherstadt, as well as for a nice pre-Christmas evening program and dinner. Online participation is also possible (not for the BPR session on Friday!). The form for your registration and the content-rich full lecture program is available on our website www.cahmv.com.

Until 23 October 2025 you still have the possibility to register for our 11th Conference of Applied Hygiene, Microbiology and Virology 2025, which will be a very special CAHMV! As already announced, for the first time since 2019, the CAHMV 2025 begins with a workshop. This workshop entitled "Efficacy testing of antimicrobial products" will include video insights from our testing labs - an absolute premiere! This workshop and its video insight will deal with the following tests - don't miss it, and register now! Chemical-thermal textile disinfection: EN 16616:2022 Hygienic handrub: EN 1500 vs. ASTM E2755 Surface disinfection with mechanical action: EN 16615 Instrument disinfection: EN 14561, EN 14562, EN 14563 Surface disinfection without mechanical action: EN 13697 Quantitative suspension tests Incubation and colony counting Some of the further program highlights of this year's CAHMV are: Keynote speakers of the CAHMV 2025 are Professor Dr. Martin Exner with a lecture on the impact of water quality on infection prevention and control in health care systems, and Professor Dr. Andreas Voss with his lecture on current developments with influence on infection prevention from AI to Environmental Protection. Dr. Florian H. H. Brill starts the second conference day with his legendary presentation on the latest developments in the efficacy evaluation of antimicrobial products. Professor Dr. Eike Steinmann and Professor Dr. Jörg Steinmann are chairs of the extensive Session "Hot topics Infection Prevention & Control" with a large number of also exciting presentations. Regarding BPR, you can look forward to a session entitled "Current Regulatory Developments BPR" and to a lively panel discussion "Assessment for antimicrobial products - Are we valuing the importance of biocidal products sufficiently with the current BPR?". The program will be completed by Dr. Dirk Bockmühl's sessions on "Hygiene in Households". Take the chance to participate in this year's edition of our CAHMV with us: Several colleagues from our Institutes will also be present and are already looking forward to meeting you in person during one of the breakes. Therefore, on 27 + 28 November 2025, we welcome you again at the AMERON Hamburg Hotel Speicherstadt, as well as for a nice pre-Christmas evening program and dinner. Online participation is also possible (not for the BPR session on Friday!). The form for your registration and the content-rich full lecture program is available on our website www.cahmv.com.

Dr. Brill + Prof. Bockmühl GmbH Institute for Applied Hygiene will be represented at the SEPAWA Congress, which will take place in Berlin from October 15-17, 2025. The congress is the most important meeting place for the detergent, cosmetics, and perfumery industry in Europe and thus offers the perfect setting for a professional exchange on our range of services in this area. Dr. Britta Brands, Director of Laboratory - Applied Hygiene, and Prof. Dr. Dirk Bockmühl (Co-Founder) will both be there. If you would like to meet us in person in Berlin, please feel free to arrange an appointment in advance – simply send us an email (link: HERE) or give us a call. Our colleagues will contribute a presentation and a poster to the scientific program of the congress: LECTURE: "Hygiene Efficacy of Short Cycles in Domestic Dishwashers" Scientific Conference (SEPAWA) | Home Care, Industrial & Institutional Cleaning, Detergents Professor Dirk Bockmühl (Rhine-Waal-University of Applied Sciences) 16.10.2025, 10:45 - 11:15, Room 1 lecture language: English Details: here POSTER (No. 76): "A new Approach to Test the Cleaning Performance of Probiotic Cleaners" European Detergents Conference | Fundamental Research Dr. Britta Brands (Dr. Brill + Prof. Bockmühl GmbH Institute for Applied Hygiene) Foyer 2nd Floor poster language: English Details: here Link: SEPAWA CONGRESS 2025

The program for our 11th Conference of Applied Hygiene, Microbiology and Virology 2025 has just been released, and registration is now open! After last year's big anniversary of our successful annual CAHMV, we have again several program highlights for you this year: For the first time since 2019, the CAHMV 2025 begins with a workshop. This workshop entitled "Efficacy testing of antimicrobial products" will include video insights from our testing labs - an absolute premiere you should not miss! Keynote speakers of the CAHMV 2025 are Professor Dr. Martin Exner with a lecture on the impact of water quality on infection prevention and control in health care systems, and Professor Dr. Andreas Voss with his lecture on current developments with influence on infection prevention from AI to Environmental Protection. Dr. Florian H. H. Brill starts the second conference day with his legendary presentation on the latest developments in the efficacy evaluation of antimicrobial products. Professor Dr. Eike Steinmann and Professor Dr. Jörg Steinmann are chairs of the extensive Session "Hot topics Infection Prevention & Control" with a large number of also exciting presentations. Regarding BPR, you can look forward to a session entitled "Current Regulatory Developments BPR" and to a lively panel discussion "Assessment for antimicrobial products - Are we valuing the importance of biocidal products sufficiently with the current BPR?". The program will be completed by Dr. Dirk Bockmühl's sessions on "Hygiene in Households". Take the chance to participate in this year's edition of our CAHMV with us: Several colleagues from our Institutes will also be present and are already looking forward to meeting you in person during one of the breakes. Therefore, on 27 + 28 November 2025, we welcome you again at the AMERON Hamburg Hotel Speicherstadt, as well as for a nice pre-Christmas evening program and dinner. Online participation is also possible (not for the BPR session on Friday!). The form for your registration and the content-rich full lecture program is available on our website www.cahmv.com.

Under the leadership of our laboratory manager (convenor) Dr. Britta Brands, the development of the IEC 63331 standard was successfully completed in the TC 59/SC 59A/WG 3 committee. We are now offering the appropriate services for the qualification of dishwashing processes. IEC 63331 describes the use of bioindicators with Micrococcus luteus – a BSL-1 organism that is safe and easy to handle. This standard is an important step towards hygienically safe and standard-compliant dishwashers. Benefit from our expertise in applied hygiene and ensure hygienically flawless washing results in accordance with current standards. Further details on the services can be found HERE.

At our 11th Conference of Applied Hygiene, Microbiology and Virology (CAHMV) we welcome Professor Dr. Andreas Voss as one of the Keynote Speakers 2025. The title of his presentation: "Current developments with influence on infection prevention: from AI to Environmental Protection". As a further highlight this year, we are offering you a very special workshop on "Efficacy testing of antimicrobial products" - let us surprise you! To kick off the second day of CAHMV, Dr. Florian Brill's legendary presentation "Overview of development of efficacy testing of disinfectants, antiseptics, wound dressings, and antimicrobial surfaces 2030" will bring you up to date on the latest status in this field. As always, further sessions and keynote lectures round off the program of the 11th CAHMV - we will keep you up to date on all new details. You can look forward to top-class presentations, exciting discussions, lively networking in a warm maritime atmosphere and a pre-Christmas evening program. You are welcome to make a note already now of your participation in CAHMV 2025, e.g. by sending an email to claudia.steinfath@brillhygiene.com. We would be very pleased to welcome you as a participant at the CAHMV in Hamburg on 27-28 November 2025. Online participation will also be possible again.

“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!