Our commitment to safer communities

	responsible care™			New Zealand

Responsible Care™ is the international chemical industry's Canadian inspired commitment to improving the management of safety, health and environmental (SH&E) performance, particularly with hazardous substances.

The New Zealand Chemical Industry Council (NZCIC) launched Responsible Care™ in 1991 to encourage industry to operate responsibly. Responsible Care™ requires employers to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements, and implement a process of continuous improvement to protect the health and safety of employees and the public, while minimising any adverse impact on the environment.

Responsible Care™ has subsequently become the benchmark for SH&E performance and compliance in New Zealand and more than 45 countries world-wide.

• Exceed society's expectations concerning SH&E protection.
  
• Provide leadership to the chemical industry.
  
• Establish the international Responsible Care™ programme as the pre-eminent national performance standard for SH&E protection.
  
• Continuously improve services to members.
  
• Maintain a centre of technical excellence.

• Providing timely and credible advice concerning the safe management of hazardous substances.
  
• Assisting employers to interpret SH&E protection legislation.
  
• Developing national SH&E performance standards, including industry codes of practice.
  
• Conducting workshops on the management of hazardous substances.
  
• Conducting independent assessments of SH&E performance under the PRINCE© accreditation scheme.
  
• Vetting and producing electronic Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs).
  
• Investigating accidents and incidents.

• Supporting international initiatives to improve SH&E performance.
  
• Helping to ensure society is aware of the benefits delivered by chemistry and industry innovation.
  
• Facilitating the adoption of the Globally Harmonised Chemical Control System (GHS).
  
• Helping employers comply with SH&E protection regulations.
  
• Providing industry codes of practice.
  
• Assisting enforcement authorities to efficiently administer SH&E protection regulations.
  
• Facilitating seminars and workshops on key SH&E protection issues.
  
• Providing the necessary publications, training aids and products needed to facilitate compliance.
  
• Encouraging dialogue with stakeholders.
  
• Contributing to the international and national reporting of SH&E performance.
  
• Providing a 24-hour, 365 day emergency response service (0800 CHEMCALL®).

	responsible care			Management System™

The NZCIC manages the international Responsible Care™ programme, a comprehensive quality based SH&E management system designed to enable employers to comply with New Zealand's demanding SH&E protection legislation.

Information is contained in the comprehensive Responsible Care Manager's Handbook™ which:

• was developed and written by New Zealand specialists in SH&E protection;
  
• offers proven management strategies with examples based on best international and industry SH&E practice;
  
• features easy to follow guidance and information designed to help employers implement sound SH&E protection policies and procedures in the workplace;
  
• contains the best reference material available including current legislation and codes of practice;
• incorporates both internal and external assessment procedures to verify actual performance.

	MEMBERSHIP			benefits

You participate in a dynamic and proactive industry alliance which:

• is recognised by the Government as a primary source of timely and credible advice about SH&E protection, particularly the safe management of hazardous substances;
  
• keeps you informed about topical issues of professional interest;
  
• reflects our members desire to exceed society's SH&E protection expectations;
  
• provides a forum to debate SH&E protection and performance;
  
• delivers the training and educational programmes to help you maintain your skills and knowledge;
  
• facilitates networking among members eager to share their collective skills and experience;
  
• ensures New Zealand is represented in key international chemical industry forums;
  
• provides innovative programmes such as PRINCE© including the unique PRINCE© accreditation scheme and CHEMCALL®, our round the clock emergency response service designed to protect the community and the environment from harm;
  
• adds value to your business through participation in the internationally recognised Responsible Care™ SH&E protection programme.

	Responsible Care Council of Australia and New Zealand ©

How the Responsible Care™ Programme Can Add Value to Your Operation

• New Zealand has possibly the most stringent safety, health and environmental (SH&E) protection legislation in the world. The personal penalties for failing to comply include imprisonment and heavy fines.
• Employers are directly responsible for the safety of their employees and the public, as well as minimising any adverse impact operations may have on the environment. However, many managers have neither the time nor the resources to interpret the law and identify where their operation may be at risk.
• Responsible Care™ is a comprehensive quality management programme, developed and written by New Zealand industry specialists which will assist employers to meet their moral and legal obligations under present and pending SH&E protection legislation.
• The Responsible Care™ Manager’s Handbook is a practical, step by step guide designed to help managers interpret the law, identify the potential risk and develop sensible policies and procedures to effectively manage SH&E performance.
• Corporate SH&E performance is independently assessed by experts and bench-marked against ‘best industry’ practice.
• Members have the opportunity to network and debate issues which could affect the industry.
• The annual membership subscription (which ranges between $600 and $10,000 plus GST) should be measured against the potential cost of:
  • production and time lost through accidents and injuries;
  • managers being distracted from their primary role;
  • penalties imposed for non-compliance with SH&E regulations;
  • cleaning up and rehabilitating the site;
  • any subsequent litigation;
  • higher ACC levies and insurance premiums;
  • adverse publicity;
  • damage to the company’s reputation and standing with employees, customers and the general public.
    
    
• Savings from improved efficiency and productivity.