Each ACC member and Partner company is obligated to conduct third-party audits to certify that its internal management system conforms to a specific set of Responsible Care® requirements intended to drive continuous performance improvement. These Responsible Care requirements cover environment, health, safety, security, product stewardship, transportation safety, emergency response and stakeholder outreach activities. Certification audits are conducted by accredited third-party organizations that meet specific criteria established by ACC.
In order to meet their Responsible Care obligations, member and Partner companies may demonstrate conformance against one of two management systems models. Each of these sets of requirements follows the traditional Plan-Do-Check-Act management system model. Both options provide comprehensive coverage of Responsible Care activities while providing flexibility for individual company business needs.
RCMS®
The first option for certification is to demonstrate conformance to the ACC’s Responsible Care Management System (RCMS) Technical Specification. The RCMS Technical Specification is made up of 30 specific requirements covering all aspects of Responsible Care. The RCMS Technical Specification is posted below. RCMS certification is available to ACC members and Partners only.
RC14001®
The second option for members and Partners is to demonstrate conformance to the requirements found in the RC14001 Technical Specification. RC14001 combines all of the elements of the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard and additional Responsible Care requirements. Certification under this option allows an organization to achieve both RC14001 and ISO 14001 status.
RC14001 certification is open to ACC members, Partners and any other organizations (chemical or non-chemical) provided they follow the process identified in ACC’s procedures documents.
Individuals and organizations seeking copies of the RC14001 Technical Specification (RC151.03) may order single copies (Product ID# 610474D) by calling (301) 617-7824, or order online at ACC's Store click on "Software," then "Responsible Care"). For multi-user or multi-site copies, call (703) 486-2992.
Audit Timing
ACC members and Partners are required to complete a specific number of audits at their headquarters and a sampling of their facilities within a three-year time period. Companies that complete their required audits are listed on ACC’s performance reporting website as having met their certification requirements. The first time period or cycle of audits concludes on December 31, 2007. Cycle 2 begins on 1/1/08 and runs through the end of 2010. Information on this and other requirements can be found in RC201.03 which describes the certification process in detail.
Getting Started
Anyone interested in the Responsible Care Certification process should first review procedure document RC201.03. This umbrella document provides the who, what, when, where and how basics to the Responsible Care certification process as well as directing the reader to other supporting documents.
ACC Contact: Dan Roczniak, dan_roczniak@americanchemistry.com
