Brussels, 1 May 2003 – Leaders of the global chemical industry have announced a major strategic review to re-vitalise and strengthen their important Responsible Care initiative which is currently implemented in 47 countries worldwide.
Since its launch in 1985, Responsible Care has helped to drive continuous improvement in the safety, health and environmental performance of its manufacturing processes and products to protect people and the environment, underpinning the industry’s contribution to sustainable development. It also commits the industry to dialogue and working with stakeholders at the local, national and international level.
The strategic review will focus on enhanced industry performance, sustainable development and reputation and will be driven by global chemical industry chief executive officers, assisted by the International Council of Chemical Associations. One expected outcome of the review is the development of more consistent core commitments that can be implemented at the same level by all nations that adopt Responsible Care. The review will conclude in 2004.
Key areas of Responsible Care being addressed under the review include: membership support; harmonization and consistency of implementation; performance and verification; business values and sustainable development; and communications.
The announcement of the strategic review comes just months after the initiative earned special recognition by the International Chamber of Commerce and the United Nations Environment Programme at the World Summit on Sustainable Development for making a significant contribution to sustainable development.
Mr Alois Michielsen, CEO Solvay SA, and convenor of the strategic review said: "Responsible Care will continue to drive progress and foster an intensive dialogue with all elements of society. The strategic review is a strong sign that we regard this voluntary initiative as a key driver of industry activity and which helps raise public confidence in the good management of chemicals throughout their life-cycle.”
Michael Campbell, president and CEO of Arch Chemicals, Inc. and strategic review co-leader added: “Harmonizing Responsible Care commitments across countries, extending Responsible Care throughout the supply chain, increasing stakeholder dialogue and evolving towards sustainable development will enable the industry to realize greater business value from the programme while improving industry reputation."
“The international Responsible Care community was encouraged by the recognition we received at the World Summit,” said José Maria Bach, the other strategic review co-leader and Chair of Responsible Care at Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Council. “The strategic review is another example of how the global chemical industry listens and responds to stakeholder input and values continuous performance improvement.”
Task Force participants are Vincent Calarco, Crompton Corporation US, John Hodgson, DuPont US, Andreas Pohlmann, Celanese, Germany, John Taylor, Borealis, Denmark, Pedro Wongtschowski, Oxiteno S/A Brazil, Masami Tanaka, Director General Japan Chemical Industry Association, Alain Perroy, Director General European Chemical Industry Council, Greg Lebedev, President and CEO American Chemistry Council and Chuck Walls, Chairman Responsible Care Leadership Group.