Belgium requests views on SVHCs for EDC action plan

On 3 October 2022, as a step into the Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDC) blueprint that was received in June, the Belgian Federal Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Public Health sent a survey to stakeholders requesting to derive information on Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs). 

Belgium is exploring industry views to identify SVHCs, their uses and alternatives under its recently approved action plan on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals. EDCs, also known as hormone disruptors, are synthetic chemicals that block, mimic, or interfere with the natural hormones in our bodies.   

The scientific project on substitution of SVHCs began in April. The aim of this project is to accelerate the elimination and replacement of SVHCs as well as advancing Belgium's economic competitiveness and status into the transition to safer and more sustainable products. 

 The objectives of the project are to develop: 

• Methodological analysis to recognize the fundamental uses and manufacturing processes of SVHCs in Belgium and to identify priority substances.  

• A brief list of policy measures to be proposed to support the replacement of SVHCs and for inclusion in the national replacement plan. 

• Estimate the socio-economic impacts affiliated with the shortlisted policy  options by identifying both positive and negative aspects, along with figuring out the  potential (unwanted) consequences of each option. 

Estimating social-economic impacts will help Belgian authorities design their policies in a way that minimizes negative aspects, such as the risk of regrettable replacement, while at the same time helping to reduce the use of SVHCs and develop the market for safer substances.  

The Belgian Plan for Chemical Alternatives is part of the country's Federal action plan for a circular economy and Belgium Builds back Circular – a part of the EU's Recovery and Resiliency Plan.  

Belgium’s national action plan on EDCs 

Belgium’s action plan aims to establish a general and coherent framework to reduce exposure to EDCs in Belgium and will run for the period June 2022 to December 2026. 

The action plan is focused on: 

1. Awareness-raising and prevention strategies, targeting the public and relevant professionals 

2. Legislative action at national and EU levels aimed to serve EDC exposure reduction 

3. Research and work on identification of EDCs, including biomonitoring. 

Other countries that have already taken similar initiatives including France, Denmark, and Sweden. France worked on a number of priority areas, including creating a list with the harmful substances, along with raising awareness of the associated risks.