--- title: "Cherwell | Cleanroom Technology: Microbial monitoring: Adapting to new regulatory demands" description: Our article in Cleanroom Technology discusses how the industry is embracing innovation in microbiological monitoring, adapting to the Annex 1 update image: https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/hubfs/Cleanroom%20Technology%20Article%20-%20Microbial%20monitoring%20-%20Adapting%20to%20new%20regulatory%20demands.png --- [![analytichem_Logo+claim_RGB](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/analytichem_Logo+claim_RGB.png?width=200&height=43&name=analytichem_Logo+claim_RGB.png "analytichem_Logo+claim_RGB")](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/) [![Analytichem](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/analytichem_Logo+claim_RGB.png?width=200&height=56&name=analytichem_Logo+claim_RGB.png "Analytichem")](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/) Search # Cleanroom Technology: Microbial monitoring: Adapting to new regulatory demands ![](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/hubfs/Marketplace/Cherwell%20Labs/imgs/icons/cherwell-icon-45.svg) *By Martin Sketchley* ## Embracing Innovation in Microbiological Monitoring At Cherwell, we're committed to supporting the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in meeting the ever-evolving regulatory demands of environmental monitoring (EM). Our latest article, featured in Cleanroom Technology, delves into how the industry is adapting to the 2022 [EU GMP Annex 1](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/eu-gmp-and-annex-1-the-new-version) regulation update, which heightened standards for cleanroom monitoring. Here’s an excerpt from the article: *“The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries face increasing pressure to comply with stringent regulatory standards, especially following the 2022 update to the EU GMP Annex 1 regulation. This update mandates higher environmental monitoring (EM) standards, particularly in Grade A cleanrooms, where continuous air monitoring has become a requirement. As sterile product manufacturers adapt to these new standards, there is a growing interest in rapid microbiology methods (RMMs), such as biofluorescent particle counters (BFPCs), to complement traditional growth-based techniques. The adoption of RMMs, specifically BFPC technology, represents a significant shift from the well-established agar-based methods that are the long-standing reliable cornerstone of EM.”* The article explores the shift from traditional growth-based techniques to Rapid Microbiology Methods (RMMs) such as biofluorescent particle counters (BFPCs), [such as BAMS](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/bioaerosol-monitoring-system-bams). These innovative technologies promise enhanced detection and faster response times, revolutionising cleanroom monitoring. [![Delivering-Knowledge-Mid-Text-CTA](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2885977/interactive-169951001432.png) ](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLbZORf4XP4VzKX5BcZ%2FPLf1vmk%2FawqmKnd4hRst1ZD7lCfQUZ6etxyYji%2F3BjAT1FqzCEb3ROSYYYZh8t%2B1rCQw63uReXMDbPb8aRLjxrB3EtDl5bx3jTd3U827FGWqj1ZQy%2FnT3VrJH%2B4768N%2FYlfzzY%2FiYdPkPB%2BbN7iSf0a%2BtsYaGr7PVcMxXNEl7y%2BS7mwi4p8I34kfqHCr0Emroc9tVScYdoUIdroVPg%3D&webInteractiveContentId=169951001432&portalId=2885977) The article covers: - The 2022 EU GMP Annex 1 update has significantly increased cleanroom monitoring requirements, including continuous air monitoring in Grade A environments. - [Traditional agar-based methods](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/prepared-media) are well-established but have limitations, such as long incubation times and the inability to detect transient contamination events. - Growth-based techniques can miss viable but non-culturable (VNBC) bacteria due to stressed microbial cells. - Biofluorescent particle counters (BFPCs) such as BAMS offer real-time monitoring, enabling faster responses to contamination risks. - Validation is critical to ensure the accuracy and reliability of BFPC technology in regulated environments. This insightful article highlights the importance of innovation in ensuring compliance while enhancing safety and efficiency. [Read the full article](https://flickread.com/edition/html/672b47f959fc2?dm_i=8EU,8RYRS,JWRT2Y,10HOYD,1#18) to explore how BFPC technology is shaping the future of microbiological monitoring. Comments ## Read other blog articles [ *By Gill Power* #### Specialist products for boosting microbial EM protocol reliability spotlighted by AnalytiChem UK at Pharmig 2025 ](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/cherwell-labs-post/analytichem-uk-highlight-specialist-em-products-pharmig-2025-annual-conference) [ *By Martin Sketchley* #### Optimisation of Your Environmental Monitoring Workflow – Locking Plates vs Traditional Plates ](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/cherwell-labs-post/optimisating-your-em-workflow-locking-plates-vs-traditional-plates) [ *By Martin Sketchley* #### Data Integrity in Environmental Monitoring – Locking Plates vs Standard Plates ](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/cherwell-labs-post/data-integrity-environmental-monitoring-locking-plates-vs-standard-plates) ### Sign Up for our Blog We promise that we won't SPAM you. #### What's next #### Recent news [![Specialist products for boosting microbial EM protocol reliability spotlighted by AnalytiChem UK at Pharmig 2025](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Redipor%20TwistLock%20Contact%20Plates%20with%20GS1%20DataMatrix%20Codes.png?width=50&height=50&name=Redipor%20TwistLock%20Contact%20Plates%20with%20GS1%20DataMatrix%20Codes.png) **Specialist products for boosting microbial EM protocol reliability spotlighted by AnalytiChem UK at Pharmig 2025** 10 November 2025 ](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/cherwell-labs-post/analytichem-uk-highlight-specialist-em-products-pharmig-2025-annual-conference) [![New AnalytiChem UK appointment strengthens customer focus and growth strategy](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Tom%20Pickford%20AnalytiChem%20UK%20Business%20Development%20Manager%20Midlands.jpg?width=50&height=50&name=Tom%20Pickford%20AnalytiChem%20UK%20Business%20Development%20Manager%20Midlands.jpg) **New AnalytiChem UK appointment strengthens customer focus and growth strategy** 20 October 2025 ](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/cherwell-labs-post/new-analytichem-uk-appointment-strengthens-customer-focus-and-growth-strategy) #### Subscribe Receive the latest articles as they are published. #### Contact us Registered Office 7 & 8 Launton Business Centre, Murdock Road, Bicester, OX26 4XB **Phone** Tel: +44 (0) 1869 355 500 **Email** [sales.uk@analytichem.com](mailto:sales.uk@analytichem.com)    ![analytichem_Logo+claim_RGB](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/analytichem_Logo+claim_RGB.png?width=2000&height=431&name=analytichem_Logo+claim_RGB.png "analytichem_Logo+claim_RGB") ![BSI-ISO-9001-Certified-50px](https://www.cherwell-labs.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/BSI-ISO-9001-Certified-50px.png?width=130&height=77&name=BSI-ISO-9001-Certified-50px.png "BSI-ISO-9001-Certified-50px") AnalytiChem UK ©2025 (Formerly Cherwell) Reg. in England No: 01159518 VAT Reg. 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