Asbestos is a hazardous material that we still encounter on a weekly basis when clearing older homes and commercial properties. Belgian legislation on asbestos removal has recently been tightened up considerably. Do you have asbestos in a building that needs to be vacated or renovated? JunkBrothers explains to you in human language what you have to take into account in 2026.
The rules in Belgium have become much stricter in recent years, and that's a good thing. Since the end of 2025, the maximum exposure limit has been lowered to barely 0.01 fiber per cubic centimeter. By the end of 2029, it will even be 0.002 fiber/cm³. To meet these strict standards, a professional approach is absolutely essential.
1 How may asbestos be safely removed?
During an eviction or remodel, there are three legally recognized ways to deal with asbestos:
Simple Acts (EH): This involves removing asbestos that is still in good condition (bonded), without breaking or grinding it. This often applies to old corrugated metal or floor tarps.
Incubator bag method: A very specific technique for small outdoor jobs.
Hermetic zone (HZ): For loose or badly damaged asbestos. The entire room is sealed airtight and placed in negative pressure. This heavy work is carried out by or in cooperation with specialized government-approved partners.
2 Safety and protection is not an option, but a duty
As an individual, you may sporadically dispose of certain types of asbestos (bonded) yourself to a local recycling park. This partly depends on several criteria, and here it is best to contact your municipality for this.
We still strongly advise against taking an asbestos sheet to the recycling yard yourself. Our specialists wear heavy protection for a reason:
Individually fitted FFP3 masks or P3 filters.
Dustproof coveralls (Type 5/6), tapings and surgical gloves.
Moreover, proper disposal is prohibitively expensive and strictly regulated. Asbestos must be taken in special, closed shipping containers to licensed processors. Is there other waste among them? Then we risk fines that can amount to more than 100,000 euros.. So leave the sorting and disposal to us.
3 Health first: why we are so strict
Asbestos fibers cannot be seen with the naked eye, but cause irreparable damage in the lungs. Diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma sometimes do not show up until 30 to 50 years after exposure. There is no safe limit; one inhaled fiber can be too much. Moreover, did you know that the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure increases the risk of lung cancer by a factor of 40?
4 Important: Your role as an owner or principal
If you hire an Asbestos Remediator for an asbestos risk clearance, there is one very important task ahead of you. Before we start, you as the client are required to completely turn off all utilities (electricity, water, gas) and certainly the ventilation system. If a ventilation system accidentally springs up during the works, it blows asbestos fibers throughout the building. In addition, you are also responsible for the necessary measurements of the asbestos fibers. Always ask well in advance what the estimated time, price and risks are, because these can be very disappointing!
5 When to Call in Professional Help?
Do you have an old building, attic or office full of stuff AND asbestos? Don't make it unnecessarily difficult or dangerous for yourself. At JunkBrothers we know the recognized asbestos removal companies and we combine our services for efficiently emptying your possessions with a legally perfect and safe handling of the asbestos problem.
Safe, smooth and totally by the book. Contact us today for a clear quote.
