Shaping the future of human biomonitoring (HBM): progress, strategy, and global vision from ISES Europe and the HBM Global Network

Human biomonitoring (HBM) continues to play an indispensable role within exposure science, offering insights into aggregate chemical exposures across populations and life stages. Since 2018, the European chapter of the International Society of Exposure Science Human Biomonitoring Working Group (ISES Europe HBM WG) has aimed to facilitate generation of more and high-quality HBM data. The working group aims to strengthen integration of HBM data into regulatory frameworks through improved study design, harmonized methodologies, and enhanced reporting practices. Key achievements in the past seven years include the harmonization of HBM metadata through development of minimum information requirements for HBM (MIR-HBM), development of chemical-specific BASIC Guides for occupational health and hygiene professionals, and establishment of the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) Environmental and Health Registry (FAIREHR) to enhance data transparency and reusability. Recognizing the need for broader impact, the HBM Global Network was launched in 2025 to promote worldwide collaboration, capacity building, and policy integration. Together, ISES Europe HBM WG and the HBM Global Network form a coordinated platform with shared governance, strategic priorities, and digital infrastructure. This short communication outlines the progress to date, strategic pillars guiding our work, and ongoing initiatives linking science, policy, and practice. We call on researchers, regulators, and stakeholders worldwide to join these networks, strengthen harmonized approaches, and ensure that HBM becomes a cornerstone of 21st-century chemical risk governance.