Responsible Care

Started in Canada in 1985, Responsible Care is a global, voluntary initiative developed autonomously by the chemical industry for the chemical industry. It runs in 67 countries whose combined chemical industries account for nearly 90% of global chemical production. 96 of the 100 largest chemical producers in the world have adopted Responsible Care.

It stands for the chemical industry's desire to improve health, safety, and environmental performance.

The signatory chemical companies agree to commit themselves to improve their performances in the fields of environmental protection, occupational safety and health protection, plant safety, product stewardship and logistics, as well as to continuously improve dialog with their neighbors and the public, independent from legal requirements.

As part of Responsible Care initiative, the International Council of Chemical Associations introduced the Global Product Strategy in 2006.

Critical analyses of Responsible Care have been done by Andrew King and Michael Lenox,[1] Michael Givel,[2] and Moffet, Bregha and Middelkoop.[3]

History

Responsible Care was launched by the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (formerly the Canadian Chemical Producers' Association - CCPA) in 1985. [4] The term was coined by CIAC president Jean Bélanger. [5] The scheme evolved, and, in 2006, The Responsible Care Global Charter was launched at the UN-led International Conference on Chemicals Management in Dubai.[6]

Controversy

Poisoning of river Elbe by the company Draslovka Kolin a.s., a Responsible Care certified company [7] or hiding of 20 metric tons leakage of naphthalene by the company Deza,[8] also a Responsible Care company, questions whether the Responsible Care brings any real improvement or is just a marketing tool.

References
  1. King A. & Lenox M. "Industry self-regulation without sanctions: the chemical industry's Responsible Care program" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2003-11-06. Retrieved 2007-02-16.
  2. Givel, Michael (2007). "Motivation of Chemical Industry Social Responsibility Through Responsible Care". Health Policy. 81 (1): 85–92. doi:10.1016/j.healthpol.2006.05.015. PMID 16797774.
  3. Moffet, John; François Bregha; Mary Jane Middelkoop (September 2007). "Responsible Care: A Case Study of a Voluntary Environmental Initiative" (PDF). Carleton University, School of Public Policy and Administration. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
  4. Chemistry Industry Association of Canada
  6. Responsible Care Global Charter
  7. "Czech Draslovka fined over cyanide leak-12/06/2006-ICIS News". Icis.com. 2006-06-12. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
  8. "Valašskomeziříčská chemička Deza tajila únik naftalenu — Regiony — ČT24 — Česká televize". Ceskatelevize.cz. 2008-11-08. Retrieved 2013-06-23.


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