Our role in policy support

In line with the Flemish vision on ‘zorgwekkende stoffen’ (ZS, or substances of concern), ARCHE Consulting contributed to a study aimed at establishing a framework for the identification and prioritisation of substances of concern in Flanders. Conducted in collaboration with VITO, Common Ground, and Fieldfisher, the study engaged multiple stakeholders including Flemish and federal authorities, the scientific community, industry, and civil society.

The goal: to ensure by 2050 that risks posed to human health and the environment are within acceptable limits. This study contributed to that ambition by providing insight into substances that require attention and possibly concrete action within Flanders. The Flemish Government is currently starting to implement these insights into ZS actions and a policy framework. Read the summary of the research report.

As part of Belgium’s national plan for recovery and resilience, the federal government launched the Belgium Builds Back Circular (BBBC) project calls, funding initiative to support innovative projects and research activities focused on eco-design and chemical substitution to encourage the transition to a circular economy in Belgium.

ARCHE Consulting, together with Möbius Business Redesign, supported the design of the second and third BBBC project calls. As a result, 9 projects received funding related to substitution of the most harmful chemicals. These projects began in 2024 and will conculde in summer 2026.

In order to identify and promote Product-as-a-Service (PaaS) related business models that can support the transition to a circular economy in Belgium, an interactive PaaS-guide and website related to chemical leasing were developed. This project was commissioned by the Belgian Federal government Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, and ARCHE Consulting was as subcontractor responsible for the chemical leasing related aspects of the study.