chemicals

Substances of Concern

REACH and POPs
Regulations for a
Healthy Population
and Environment
Report

Monitoring campaign on substances of concern in recycled textiles and plastics

This report presents an in-depth overview of the monitoring campaign conducted by Stijn Steuperaert (Centexbel) in collaboration with OVAM.

The campaign’s primary goal is to detect and evaluate the presence of substances of concern in recycled textile and plastic materials, ensuring full compliance with the REACH Regulation and the POP Regulation.

R&D

Meetcampagne naar zorgwekkende stoffen in gerecycleerd textiel en kunststof

ovam zorgwekkende stoffen textiel en kunststoffen

In deze meetcampagne werd de aanwezigheid van zorgwekkende stoffen in gerecycleerde textiel- en kunststofmaterialen werden geanalyseerd in overeenstemming met REACH en de POP-verordening.

©OVAM-Centexbel, Stijn Steuperaert

Download (.pdf, 3.15 MB)
Download (.pdf, 3.15 MB)

Video

Pointer Checkt: 

Clothing from imports tested by Centexbel on the presence of hazardous substances. 

Ultrafast fashion defies all circular and human ecology principles.

Video, the sequel

As a follow-up on the tests on SHEIN products, the Pointer Checkt team was curious about the chemical safety of 3 major clothing brands. 

Our chemical lab carried out the tests, Stijn explains the results.

Recent Reach news!

shein under pressure
18 / 02 / 2026
REACH

SHEIN Under Growing Pressure

Fast-fashion giant SHEIN is facing mounting scrutiny across Europe as environmental groups and public authorities intensify pressure over hazardous chemicals, product safety, and online platform practices. From alarming laboratory findings to a formal EU investigation, the spotlight on the retailer has never been sharper.

SHEIN Under Growing Pressure
ban on pfas france
08 / 01 / 2026
REACH

France Tightens PFAS Rules and Goes Beyond EU Regulation

France has introduced stricter rules on the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) than those currently in place at EU level. With Decree No. 2025-1376 of 28 December 2025, the French government aims to further reduce the risks associated with exposure to these substances. The new rules apply from 1 January 2026.

France Tightens PFAS Rules and Goes Beyond EU Regulation
douane
15 / 12 / 2025
REACH

Enforcement Forum finds non-compliance in imported substances, mixtures and products

An EU-wide targeted enforcement project checking imported substances found that one out of three of substances in mixtures was missing a REACH registration. In addition, restricted hazardous substances were present in some of the imported consumer products above the allowed limits.

Enforcement Forum finds non-compliance in imported substances, mixtures and products
All news

Downloads

Leaflet

PFAS and PPE

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Growing public awareness has encouraged authorities to take stronger actions against PFAS, starting at the source of production. As a result, many textile and apparel manufacturers are facing increasing regulation in the European Union (EU) and the United States (US).

©Centexbel, 2023/01

Author(s) Stijn Steuperaert

Download (.pdf, 1.71 MB)
Download (.pdf, 1.71 MB)