In 2018, JSC Latvijas balzams (hereinafter – also “the Company”) decided to participate in the project LIFE Fit for REACH on the substitution of chemicals in its operations. Participation in this project took place both in 2019 and in 2020, when the leading producer of alcoholic beverages in the Baltics successfully identified all used chemicals and mixtures, carried out an inventory of these substances and identified the dangers of substances to the environment and employees. As a result, the substances and compounds that Latvijas balzams could replace with less harmful substances were identified.
“One of the priorities of our corporate social responsibility is environmental responsibility. In addition to identifying the chemicals used and replacing them with less harmful substances, we are actively modernizing the production processes of Latvijas balzams to make them more environmentally friendly. We want each of our actions to reduce the Company’s footprint on environmental factors. Participation in this project allowed us to make an extensive inventory, as a result of which we are able to implement a safer work environment for our employees, as well as replace everyday hazardous substances with safer alternatives,” said Intars Geidāns, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC Latvijas balzams.
In 2020, JSC Latvijas balzams with the help of the Baltic Environmental Forum and the European Union LIFE program project “Baltic pilot measures to reduce emissions of hazardous chemicals through substitution and resource efficiency” (LIFE Fit for REACH, LIFE14 ENV / LV / 000174) and with the support of the Latvian Environmental Protection Fund administration implemented a project on the replacement of chemicals used by JSC Latvijas balzams with less harmful to the environment. Within the framework of the project, an inventory and evaluation of chemical substances and mixtures, replacement of the detergents ŪLA and NDDA with EWOL, as well as purchase, installation and adaptation of two SO2 dosing systems for workplaces were performed.
LIFE Fit for REACH is an international project that helps Baltic companies improve their chemical management and replace hazardous substances with safer alternatives.
