On November 26, 2025 VITO participated in a workshop organised by the Knowledge Center for Innovative Remediation Techniques (KIS), focusing on the remediation and purification of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in soil, water, and air. The workshop highlighted the growing need for standardisation in PFAS remediation, a critical factor in determining when, how, and to what extent environmental cleanup should be carried out.

The KIS workshop, held in collaboration with the ZS hub, brought together experts from research, policy, and industry to discuss the standards, challenges, and solutions surrounding PFAS. The session provided:

• Background information on existing PFAS standards
• Analysis of technical, economic, and social feasibility for implementing standards in remediation projects
• Opportunities to collect expert input and suggestions for future policy decisions

By integrating knowledge from multiple stakeholders, the workshop aimed to advance harmonised and practical approaches for managing PFAS contamination across environmental compartments.

Beyond contributing to discussions on standards and feasibility, VITO is leading a SOILPROM use-case investigating PFAS pollution in several industrial areas of Flanders, Belgium. These regions are impacted by multiple contamination pathways, including airborne PFAS emissions from industrial facilities, creating complex exposure patterns in soil and vegetation.