During the 1990’s several major developments caused the U.S. chemical industry to re-examine how to further improve its environmental, health and safety (EHS) performance. These included:

·        Expanding regulation of industry processes and products.
·        Increasing public right-to-know initiatives and public reporting of EHS performance.
·        Growing external stakeholder participation in government and corporate decision making
·        processes.
·        Corporate restructuring, merger and acquisition activity and the globalization of business activities
·        and responsibilities.
·        Emerging development of global management systems and standards for EHS practices.        

These and other trends have influenced the chemical industry’s thinking not only for managing EHS issues and improving performance but also for seeking opportunities to integrate EHS and business management processes. They have served as the basis for a strategic re-examination of the Responsible Care® program in the United States during January-June 2002.

Enhancing Responsible Care®

In June 2002 the Board of Directors of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) endorsed the

enhancement of the Responsible Care® program through a series of decisions that are mandatory for all ACC members. These companies comprise approximately 90% of the U.S. chemical manufacturing capacity.

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) has signed a memorandum of understanding giving RAB an oversight role in implementing ACC’s Responsible Care third-party certification requirement for ACC-member companies to adopt a management system that undergoes mandatory third-party audits.