CZECH REPUBLIC Law and Practice Contributed by: Martin Řanda, Jan Lexa, Vít Fišer and Adam Vopelka, act legal
authority (the Czech Environmental Inspectorate) shall immediately commission a risk assessment. For this purpose, it shall request an opinion from the regional public health authority, which will assess the risk to human health. If the risk assessment and the public health authority confirm the damage: • the authority shall prepare a proposal and evaluate possible remedial measures (including a compari- son of alternatives, costs and timelines); and • the operator is then obliged to carry out the reme- diation ordered by the authority in such a way that the land does not pose a significant risk to human health. 13. Climate Change and Emissions Trading 13.1 Key Policies, Principles and Laws There are several pieces of legislation in the Czech Republic that focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the climate. These regula- tions are part of a broader European framework (see 13.2 Targets to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions ). 13.2 Targets to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions The Czech Republic’s targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are primarily guided by EU climate pol- icy. Under the European Climate Law (Regulation (EU) 2021/1119), the EU – including the Czech Republic – is committed to reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels) and achieving cli- mate neutrality by 2050. A key tool for meeting these targets is the EU Emis- sions Trading System (EU ETS), which applies to major industrial and energy sectors. In the Czech Republic, this system is implemented through Act No 383/2012 Coll, requiring operators to monitor, report and offset their emissions with allowances. While not emission targets in themselves, renewable energy goals also support emission reduction efforts. The Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001 sets
a binding EU-wide target for a 42.5% renewable ener- gy share by 2030, with national frameworks such as Act No 165/2012 Coll supporting implementation at the country level. 14. Asbestos and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) 14.1 Key Policies, Principles and Laws Relating to Asbestos and PCBs Asbestos Regarding asbestos, the EU adopted Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH). Under the Regulation, asbes- tos fibres are classified as a dangerous substance, and the manufacture, placing on the market, and use of these fibres and of articles containing these fibres (added deliberately) are forbidden. Furthermore, the Regulation allows the continued use of asbestos-con- taining products already installed or in use before 1 January 2005, until they are disposed of. In this con- text, the EU member states may introduce additional restrictions or specific conditions to protect human health before these products are fully phased out. Czech legislation focuses on the regulation of asbes- tos handling, particularly its disposal. It sets out requirements to protect workers who may be exposed to asbestos and establishes conditions for its safe and proper disposal. The protection of workers handling asbestos is pri- marily regulated by Act No 309/2006 Coll, on Ensur- ing Other Conditions of Health and Safety at Work, as amended. In general, the Act prohibits work with asbestos, except in specific cases such as the dis- posal of asbestos waste or the demolition of buildings containing asbestos. The Waste Act regulates the management of asbes- tos as waste. Under the Waste Act, anyone handling asbestos-containing waste must take all necessary measures to prevent the release of asbestos fibres or dust into the air and the spillage of liquids contain- ing asbestos. Furthermore, the disposal of asbestos- containing waste requires payment of a landfill fee and must take place at a special landfill.
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