The Responsible Care® Organization
The Responsible Care program at ACC is operated under the Industry Performance Programs Group. There are several member-driven groups that direct and manage the program from the CEO level to the facility EHS Manager level. These groups include:
Board Committee on Responsible Care (BCRC): Industry Executives that set the strategic direction for the program as well as provide senior leadership support. This groups meets 3-4 times per year in conjunction with ACC Board of Directors meetings.
Responsible Care Committee: Industry leaders from the Vice President to the Facility EHS Manager level that provide tactical support and programmatic management. This group meets 6-8 times per year to assure effective program development and management. Various subcommittees and workgroups exist under the Responsible Care Team and are responsible for developing guidance and policy for specific program elements. The Responsible Care Team prepares a workplan for activities each year.
Responsible Care Network: Responsible Care Coordinators from each ACC member company comprise this network of individuals, responsible for implementing the program within their company. This network convenes each month for an open conference call to provide feedback on issues as they arise, discuss program challenges and share best practices.
Responsible Care ® Partner Company Steering Group: Provide strategic leadership on Responsible Care issues facing Partner companies and warranting ACC attention while facilitating communication with, and general implementation support for, all Partner companies.
Strategic Review Board: This group of external stakeholders and industry representatives periodically assesses the effectiveness of Responsible Care in terms of external stakeholder expectations and program operability, focusing specifically on Responsible Care management system and certification.
Technical Oversight Board: This group of industry representatives, auditors and other stakeholders in the certification process, provide technical oversight regarding management system and certification issues and processes.
Please view the attached documents for the roles and responsibilities of each of these groups as well as the organization chart for the Responsible Care program.
Program Governance
Responsible Care is a condition of membership for all members of the American Chemistry Council. To remain in good standing, each ACC member and Responsible Care Partner must implement the Responsible Care Security Code, complete third-party management systems certifications of both headquarters and facilities, and report on key performance indicators. Companies periodically report progress against these ACC requirements.
ACC follows a strict governance process to bring into good standing those members that fail to meet their Responsible Care obligations. If a member or Responsible Care Partner company fails to meet its obligations once the governance process is invoked, it will ultimately be asked to leave ACC or the Partnership Program.
