Belgium still imports 8,000 tonnes of PFAS each year

Belgian industry continues to import more than 8,000 tonnes of PFAS annually, mainly for use in medical devices, textiles and cooling systems, according to figures from the Federal Economy Department cited by De Standaard.

PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” because they hardly break down and accumulate in the environment and the human body, are no longer produced in Belgium since 3M halted operations at its Zwijndrecht plant following a pollution scandal. Imports now come from elsewhere in Europe, the United States and China.

On Tuesday, a coalition of health insurers, environmental groups and 90 other organisations handed a petition with more than 27,000 signatures to federal Climate minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés), urging a European ban on PFAS. In the meantime, they are calling for a national phase-out plan, citing health risks such as hormone disruption, cancer, high cholesterol and reduced immunity.

Three sectors (medical devices, textiles, and heating and cooling equipment) account for more than three-quarters of Belgian PFAS use. While alternatives exist for some applications, industries such as protective clothing manufacturers argue that safe substitutes are not yet available across the board.

“If the EU proves too slow, we will act ourselves.”

Crucke said he “very much understands the concerns of citizens and organisations” and has instructed his administration to examine which federal measures can already be taken in the short term without waiting for the EU. He will present proposals to the government in the coming weeks, including potential bans on certain product categories. While reminding that the European Union is working on a universal ban, he added: “If that proves too slow, we will act ourselves.”

Across Europe, PFAS contamination has been found at more than 23,000 sites. France and Denmark have already announced national bans. EU-level discussions on restricting PFAS are ongoing but not expected to conclude before 2026.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Pictured are the earthworks near the 3M plant during the pilot installation for the effective purification of PFAS, on the Lantis construction site of the Oosterweelverbinding project © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}