REACH featured on Czech TV

A programme released on Czech TV last week cast the spot light on the dangerous chemicals covered by the REACH regulation. The programme, "NEDEJ SE!" discussed the EU’s REACH regulation and featured interviews with representatives from leading Czech NGOs.

Part of "NEDEJ SE!" from April 29 focused on the new European system for regulating chemical safety, REACH - an acronym for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. With interviews from representatives from the Society for Sustainable Living STUZ (HEAL member) and Arnika Association, "NEDEJ SE!" sought to answer questions about toxic chemicals. The participants highlighted which chemicals are featured on the REACH candidate list, their impact on wildlife and human health and what individuals can do to protect themselves. The interviews also discuss the NGO priority (SIN) list – a further list of harmful chemicals compiled by the NGO community. The airing of “NEDEJ SE!” coincided with the launch of the Czech language edition of Ted Schettler’s book ‘Generation at Risk’ .

You can watch "NEDEJ SE!" in Czech language on the on Czech TV website here. Alternatively, read below for the edited highlights from the interviews.

Miroslav Suta, STUZ. He talks about Endocrine disrupting chemicals and other toxic chemicals such as phthalates, HBCDD, where these are used, their impacts on human health and environment, and the potential of voluntary substitution by industry. He also highlights the recent CHEM Trust report the Stockholm convention, and highlights problems with Member State Committee representation.

Jindrich Petrlik, Arnika Association – He discusses the WWF blood testing of EU MS ministers during the REACH negoitations. The tests revealed high contamination of Czech ministers’ blood by old (i.e. PCBs) and new (i.e. PFOS) chemicals. He also talks of the dangers of PVC, Arnika’s testing of children’s PVC products for phthalates (i.e. school articles, toys) and findings of those testings. He then goes on to discuss the increases public awareness about chemical contamination, highlighting the number of signatures on the petition calling for a “Toxic Free Future”.

Zora Kasiková, Arnika Association – She announces the launch the Czech language edition of Ted Schettler’ book ‘Generation at Risk’ and increasing public awareness of harmful chemicals.

Karel Blaha, Ministry of the Environment – He reports on how many chemicals have been registered through the European Chemicals Agency, which chemicals (and why) have been nominated for candidate list and how many chemicals have been nominated by Czech Representation.