To underline their continued commitment to strong supply chains, the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) and the European Association of Chemical Distributors (Fecc) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding to promote Responsible Care.
Responsible Care is the global chemical industry’s programme designed to promote the safe and secure management of chemicals throughout their life cycle, while promoting their role in improving quality of life and contributing to sustainable development.
The voluntary industry programme helps participating organisations address everything from reducing workplace health and safety incidents to tackling environmental performance. Some of its unique features include an annual industry awards ceremony celebrating best practice, concrete support measures such as self-assessment questionnaires, continuous improvement plans and regular performance indicators, which confirm that stakeholders provide active programmes for their members.
Said Marco Mensink, Cefic Director General, “Industry associations play a vital role in promoting best practice, not only within their own direct membership, but in spreading the values of responsible care and sustainability throughout the supply chain. With the signing of the agreement today, we emphasise our commitment to further promoting excellence.”
Elisa Setién, Fecc Director General said “Our goal is to help companies to continuously improve their corporate responsibility. To make sure we are well adapted to today’s challenges, the new version of this Responsible Care agreement extends its scope to security aspects and also covers additional requirements on sustainability.”
With this initiative, both associations aim to give a new momentum to Responsible Care in Europe, as well as to strengthen the long-lasting cooperation and commitment of chemical manufacturers and chemical distributors to Responsible Care.
Background
Cefic & Responsible Care
On 11th May 2017, 28 chemical associations and members of Cefic promote Responsible Care across Europe. Earlier this year, Croatia become the 29th association to sign up. About 4,000 chemical companies practice Responsible Care across Europe, including leading companies of the chemical industry worldwide, with over 100 having signed the new Responsible Care Global charter. ( www.cefic.org)
Fecc & Responsible Care
On 11th May 2017, 15 national chemical distribution associations and member of Fecc promote Responsible Care across Europe. Around 400 chemical distributors practice Responsible Care in Europe, including leading companies operating worldwide. In 2015, the percentage of chemical distribution companies under the Responsible Care voluntary initiative in Europe in 2015 was on average 72%. (www.fecc.org)
