In 2002, the American Chemistry Council adopted a new management system approach for the implementing Responsible Care in the U.S., including mandatory independent third-party certification.
A management system approach is taking America’s leading chemical companies above and beyond their prior accomplishments, to achieve even higher standards of performance and greater value for their businesses.
A Responsible Care management system offers an integrated, structured approach to drive results in seven key areas: community awareness and emergency response; security; distribution; employee health and safety; pollution prevention; process safety; and product stewardship.
The Responsible Care management system framework is simple, building on a basic plan-do-check-act philosophy that raises the bar for industry-wide performance while allowing flexibility to meet the specific needs of individual companies and facilities.
- The Responsible Care management system is based on effective and proven management practices.
The RCMS combines the practices of leading private-sector companies, the International Standards Organization and federal regulatory requirements. - The Responsible Care management system process begins with a strong commitment from company leadership.
Senior management is called upon to develop, document and implement a policy that establishes a company’s framework for defining and reviewing its goals and objectives. Inherent in this framework is a commitment to continual improvement. - Implementation of the Responsible Care management system follows the credo of “plan-do-check-act.”
- Companies must first plan – that is, identify, assess and evaluate potential hazards and risks associated with their products, processes, distribution and other operations. Companies then establish goals and objectives to address any significant hazards and risks, taking into consideration the concerns of their employees, communities, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.
- Next, companies must do or implement what they have planned. They establish, document and communicate responsibilities to meet their stated goals and objectives. This includes creating processes to identify and meet staff training needs on performance-related job requirements. Communicating with employees and other stakeholders is essential.
- Then companies must check their progress. This stage highlights performance measurement and corrective action. Activities include self-assessments, in which companies regularly measure and evaluate their performance including compliance with regulatory and legislative requirements and take corrective and preventive action to make necessary adjustments to the Responsible Care management system. In addition, companies establish procedures for the identification and maintenance of Responsible Care records.
- Finally, companies must act. Senior management periodically reviews the continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of the Responsible Care management system and makes any necessary changes to enhance performance. The results of this process are shared with a company’s stakeholders.
- A key part of the Responsible Care management system process is mandatory certification by an independent, accredited auditor.
All of the more than 200 companies taking part in the Responsible Care initiative at ACC undergo headquarters and facility audits to assure that they have a structure and system in place to measure, manage and verify performance. All Responsible Care companies are required to renew their certification every three years. - Companies choose one of two certification options:
(1) RCMS certification, which verifies that a company has implemented the Responsible Care Management System; or (2) RC14001, which combines RCMS and ISO 14001 certification into a single, more cost-effective process. - The certification status of ACC member companies is published on the Web at: http://reporting.responsiblecare-us.com/reports/rcmsc_cmpny_rpt.aspx.
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