NewsBrief
Issue No.59 June 2008		TM

Responsible Care® Leads the Way
As the government and industry focus on sustainable development by seeking practical and cost-effective solutions to minimising greenhouse gas emissions, conserving energy, reducing waste and ramping up product stewardship initiatives, the global chemical industry continues to lead by example.

Health, safety and environmental protection and performance has always been at the heart of our industry’s truly unique and innovative Responsible Care®  initiative. The Sustainability concerns of society and governments are reflected in media attention highlighting the hazards associated with chemicals, while ignoring the irreplaceable benefits properly managed chemicals bring to enhancing our health and daily lives. The result is further regulation which distracts and frustrates Members already struggling with a rising tide of often poorly-crafted legislation.

Regulators can ban or apply costly constraints to any chemical which becomes the focus of attention, regardless of whether sound science and detailed research supports the particular concerns. In response, our industry continues to provide increasingly detailed and comprehensive research and assessments for nearly all of the chemical products present in our communities.

As local chemical manufacturing departs for more modern and under-utilised plants offshore, chemical suppliers are increasingly faced with the problem of safely managing products to the high standards required in markets half a world away. Responsible Care® not only works close to home. It can also be successfully implemented by far-sighted multi-national companies co-operating with national chemical associations which provide advice and even audit their operations, to ensure corporate, national and industry performance standards are not just met but exceeded (see page 4).

We abandon chemicals at our peril. People are enjoying longer and healthier lives, thanks to chemicals provided by responsible manufacturers who are implementing the UN sponsored ‘precautionary principle’ throughout the lifetime of their products and throughout their operations. Our industry can be justly proud of our  ongoing efforts to ensure Responsible Care® contributes to the global chemical industry’s voluntary Responsible Care® initiatives, including billions of dollars invested in leading research and development, child health and the environment.

The Responsible Care® initiative is thriving. Hard on the heels of the admittance of the Russian Federation to the Responsible Care® Leadership Group, China is expected to join the international forum soon, while in the Middle East, the Gulf Petroleum Producers Association has just hosted an ICCA Board meeting and discussed membership.

The proud Canadian parents of Responsible Care® have watched their innovation grow to embrace 53 countries worldwide, continuously re-inventing itself to reflect the standards of today with an eye firmly fixed on the issues and challenges of the future.

Responsible Care® participants continue to play a leading role in preserving our quality of life. ‘Exceeding expectations’ is a timely and very fitting rallying cry!

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