As the global chemical industry celebrates 40 years of Responsible Care®, American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Daniel (Dan) Roczniak, Senior Director, Responsible Care, reflected on the shared history of the program in the United States and Canada and Canada’s leadership in shaping its trajectory.
Canada’s Role in Responsible Care
Responsible Care started under the guidance of Jean Bélanger, then president of the Canadian Chemical Producers’ Association (CCPA), now the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC). What began as a concept for collective performance improvement formed the basis of Responsible Care and launched a global movement that encompasses nearly 70 economies today.
Dan described Canada as the “conscience of the program,” setting the bar for safe and sustainable chemical manufacturing globally. He noted that Canadian leaders such as Jean Bélanger and Brian Wastle played key roles in developing and maintaining the integrity of Responsible Care, both in North America and internationally.
Reflecting on this early leadership, Dan shared, “Responsible Care means doing the right thing and being transparent about it. We don’t hide our efforts; we show the public that we are responsive, continually improving and proud of the progress we make.” Our colleagues in Canada coined the phrase, “do the right thing and be seen to be doing the right thing.”
Building on the foundation laid by CCPA, the Chemical Manufacturers Association – now ACC - adopted Responsible Care in 1988, setting the stage for what would become a cornerstone of the U.S. chemical industry’s commitment to safety, sustainability, and community engagement. Dan joined CMA in September 1993, when the Responsible Care department was first established as a stand-alone unit.
Dan recalls his first impression this way: “When I first joined, what immediately stood out was the incredible momentum around Responsible Care. The program was approaching its fifth anniversary in the U.S., and there was a real surge of energy, especially around community outreach and engagement with plant communities. We had just completed a strategic review, which sparked yet another wave of excitement as we began building new program elements. the membership’s energy and commitment were unmistakable, and that spirit continued driving everything forward.”
Responsible Care, Then and Now
At its inception, Responsible Care laid the groundwork for companies to continually improve safety and sustainability performance and build trust and community engagement. With growing public interest and evolving regulatory frameworks, Dan emphasized that Responsible Care remains relevant today, guiding companies, policymakers and communities to a safer and more sustainable future.
“Regulation is the floor, not the ceiling - through Responsible Care, we are aspiring to reach the ceiling” he said. “We are running a marathon, not a sprint. Our finish line keeps moving because it is set by the public’s expectations for the industry, and we’re committed to moving with it.”
Illustrating this continued progress, major changes to the program came in the early 2000s. ACC shifted from a code-focused approach to a management-system model, introduced third-party audits, expanded metrics, and began publishing company-by-company performance data. These steps increased transparency, accountability, and effectiveness. After 9/11, ACC introduced a Security Code, now recognized by the Department of Homeland Security as a certified anti-terrorism program under the federal SAFETY Act, demonstrating strong chemical security practices and protecting our facilities and our communities. Community engagement has evolved as well. Initially focused on plant-level communities, it now extends to the public at large, policymakers, and a broader range of industry stakeholders.
As Responsible Care has matured, it has produced concrete and measurable improvements across the industry. According to ACC’s most recent performance reports, Responsible Care companies have achieved record-low levels of transportation incidents involving their products, process safety events, and worker injuries. Since 2017, chemical distribution incidents have decreased by roughly 35%, Tier 1 process safety events by about 22%, and total recordable injury and illness rates by more than 24%. These measurable improvements reflect the long-standing commitment to continual progress that Canada helped establish and both countries continue to advance together.
Dan noted that Responsible Care is still expanding across the the world, with new programs being adopted in Asia and Africa. There is significant enthusiasm where programs are currently being established, and ACC continues to share expertise with sister associations globally.
A Tribute to Canada’s Leadership
As we celebrate Canada’s 40th anniversary, Dan’s reflections highlight the country’s leadership, dedication, and ongoing influence on Responsible Care worldwide. ACC is deeply grateful to Canada for laying the groundwork that has shaped Responsible Care across North America and beyond. We would not be where we are today without the vision and integrity Canada brought to the program from the very beginning, and we look forward to a continued, prosperous, and ever-progressive partnership in advancing Responsible Care globally. Congratulations again to CIAC on this tremendous milestone and thank you for leading the way for 40 years.
To learn more about the 40th anniversary of Responsible Care in Canada, check out this video.
