NewsBrief
No.48 - June 2005		TM

20th Anniversary Year
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY RESPONSIBLE CARE ® !

This year marks the 20 th anniversary of Responsible Care ® , arguably the world’s most effective and successful Industry safety, health and environmental (SH&E) protection initiative.

From a modest beginning in Canada, Responsible Care ® has quietly contributed practical and pragmatic improvements and solutions, including leading scientific research and innovative SH&E performance, in response to concerns about our operations and products expressed by the Public and subsequently taken up by Regulators.

Chemical Suppliers face ever-increasing compliance requirements, ranging from the European Union’s onerous Registration, Evaluation, and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH Proposal) to our very own bewildering (and much loved) Hazardous Substances Regulations. Arising from Industry’s patchy performance, together with our slow response to public concerns, enthusiastic Regulators have little difficulty in justifying further legislation. The need to overhaul of obsolete regulations and the adoption of generally beneficial global performance standards such as the Globally Harmonised System for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) all too often provides an opportunity to further regulate and constrain Industry efforts to deliver better, safer, and much needed products.

The Special Commendation awarded at the 2002 UNEP Sustainable Development Summit in Johannesburg was timely recognition of the unique contribution made by the 52 National Associations of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), and their Members, in eliminating and minimising the risk to people and the environment arising from our activities and products through “Continuous Improvement”.

Nevertheless, politicians and Regulators are devising ever-more stringent controls for our operations and products in response to both genuine concerns and misconceptions about the risk associated with products which help sustain and improve quality of life. The challenge facing us all is to ensure Responsible Care ® continues to identify and effectively address the changing needs of both our critics and customers.

The next 20 years in the Responsible Care ® success story will focus on “Product Stewardship”, the “Cradle to Grave” process which requires Suppliers to ensure everyone correctly handles and uses their products throughout the product’s life cycle. The decision to extend responsibility for safely managing chemicals throughout the Supply Chain was not taken lightly. It requires not only commitment but also a great deal of hard work if manufacturers and importers are to help improve chemical handling performance, particularly in Developing countries.