IBRG holds two meetings a year each usually organised by one of the member organisations. The main objectives of IBRG are in the field of test method development and work to investigate basic principles of biodeterioration. These objectives are met in a number of ways. Firstly by discussion at the meetings, secondly by carrying out and reporting on individual laboratory investigations and, most importantly, by organising, carrying out and reporting on collaborative experimental work or round-robin testing.

The work of IBRG in methodology development has been highlighted by the requirement in the recently enacted Biocidal Products Directive (BPD) for efficacy test data on biocides in each of the 23 application areas identified. At present, there are very few standard methods of test for biocides and each IBRG Working Group is charged with the task of working towards developing BPD efficacy test methods. The consensus view is that BPD efficacy tests should be quick, simple and should allow all currently used biocides to pass. Then the end user still has the widest possible choice of products to choose from.