Research Focus
As the Flemish reference laboratory, VITO is responsible for supporting the implementation of microplastic monitoring methodologies within the Flemish Water Analysis Compendium (WAC) and for preparing laboratories and authorities for future regulatory monitoring obligations. Dedicated investments have enabled the establishment of analytical infrastructure, laboratory workflows and quality assurance systems required to transition microplastic analysis from research applications to routine monitoring. Current activities focus on the implementation, optimization and validation of complementary analytical approaches, including vibrational spectroscopic techniques (µRaman and µFTIR) for particle-based analysis and pyrolysis-GC/MS for mass-based quantification. These methods are evaluated alongside harmonized sampling procedures, sample preparation workflows, contamination-control strategies and QA/QC measures to assess their applicability across drinking water, wastewater and other aquatic matrices. Particular attention is given to method performance characteristics such as detection limits, reproducibility, recovery, polymer identification reliability and inter-method comparability. The work is closely aligned with ongoing international standardization efforts and includes active participation in ISO and CEN working groups developing harmonized methodologies for microplastics in water. It also includes the alignment of regulatory monitoring approaches with those applied by neighbouring international institutions. This allows early implementation and evaluation of emerging standards while supporting the generation of scientifically robust data needed for future policy development and regulatory compliance. This contribution presents VITO’s approach towards implementing and validating microplastic monitoring methods for drinking water and wastewater, supporting the transition from method development to routine regulatory monitoring. The results provide practical insights into analytical readiness; standardization needs and the challenges associated with large-scale implementation of microplastic monitoring under evolving European legislation.