News item | 28-11-2025 | 15:29
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, together with the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG), the Interprovincial Consultation and the Union of Water Boards, is setting up a task force for existing applications of steel slag. The Netherlands Environment Agency and the GGD-GHOR also participate. The collaboration was sealed today with the signing of a declaration of intent, prior to the General Members’ Meeting of the VNG. The task force is being set up after a temporary ban on the use of steel slag was imposed this summer.
Steel slag, a residual product of the steel industry, has been used for a long time in many different places and in many different ways. It is not known exactly where they are located. After the introduction of the temporary stop, the ministry, municipalities, provinces and water boards are increasingly receiving questions about what to do with places where steel slag was used before the temporary stop.
The task force is organizing a joint, national approach to gain clarity about the places where steel slag is located and where there is an increased risk to people or the environment. In addition, the task force focuses on bundling and making knowledge available about the use of steel slag so that citizens, companies and local authorities are well informed.
State Secretary Thierry Aartsen: “With the temporary stop, we have taken a firm but necessary step to immediately limit the risks of steel slag. However, many questions remain, especially about the places where steel slag has previously been used and is still located. That is why it is valuable that we work together with all these parties and join forces in this task force.”