Belgium Targets PFAS in Textiles With a 2026 to 2030 Enforcement Plan

Belgium is preparing a new national push on so called forever chemicals, with a fresh action plan aimed at tightening controls on PFAS in textiles, clothing, and other consumer products as part of a broader 2026 to 2030 inspection and phase out drive.

New plan and policy backdrop

Following recent checks that found non‑compliant textile products with PFAS on the European market, Belgium’s federal authorities have warned consumers to be cautious with stain resistant or waterproof clothing and textiles and announced a new inspection action plan running from 2026 to 2030. Officials say the goal is to step up market surveillance, remove illegal goods, and better protect public health, while EU wide restrictions on PFAS are still being negotiated.

In parallel, a bill tabled in the Belgian Chamber of Representatives aims to ban the manufacture, import, export, and marketing of PFAS in food contact materials, cosmetics, and textiles from January 1, 2026, with only narrow exemptions for essential uses where no alternatives exist. Together, these moves form the regulatory backdrop for the latest PFAS plan highlighted by Ecotextile News, which focuses specifically on tightening controls in the textile and apparel supply chain.

Focus on Textiles and “Forever Chemicals”

PFAS (per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are widely used to give fabrics water repellent and stain resistant properties, but they persist in the environment and the human body and have been linked to health risks such as cancer and hormonal disruption. Belgium’s plan is expected to prioritize sectors like textiles and outdoor apparel, where alternative chemistries are emerging, and restrictions are seen as technically feasible in the near term.

Authorities have already ordered certain PFAS containing textile products off shelves after tests showed they exceeded legal limits, and three companies faced sales bans in a recent enforcement round. The upcoming plan builds on this by committing to more systematic inspections, better information for consumers, and coordination with EU and neighboring country measures.

Regional Action and Phase Out Trends

At the regional level, Flanders is also pushing to phase out PFAS based pesticides by 2026, with the governing parties calling for a strategic plan to protect drinking water and gradually eliminate PFAS where alternatives exist. The Flemish government has already approved a PFAS action plan focused on preventing new contamination and monitoring polluted sites, signaling that sub‑national authorities are moving ahead even as EU rules are still in progress.

More broadly, the PFAS FREE project backed by the Belgian federal administration is working on fluorine free, bio based water repellent finishes for textiles, aiming to offer safer, more sustainable alternatives that still meet performance expectations. That research dimension is important for brands and mills as they prepare for tighter PFAS controls not only in Belgium but across the EU.

What This Means for Fashion and Footwear

For apparel, outdoor, and footwear brands, the Belgian PFAS plan adds to a growing patchwork of national rules, following steps like France’s law to ban PFAS in textiles and other consumer goods from 2026 onward. Companies sourcing or selling into Belgium can expect more rigorous testing of waterproof, stain resistant, and performance textiles, as well as closer scrutiny of marketing claims around water repellency and easy care finishes.

For textile suppliers, the signal is clear: investment in PFAS free, high performance alternatives is becoming a regulatory necessity, not a niche sustainability choice. For shoppers, the plan will likely translate into clearer labeling, fewer PFAS treated garments over time, and more guidance from health authorities on what to look for when buying clothing and home textiles.