Responsible Care is an initiative of the global chemistry industry to drive continuous performance improvements and support the role of chemistry in creating a safer, more sustainable world.
In 1989, Australia became the third country in the world to adopt this signature program.
Since that time, Responsible Care® has been helping businesses across the Australian chemistry industry to significantly improve their environmental, health, safety and security performance. Product stewardship is core to the program, bringing into focus the communities and environments in which the industry operates.
This reflects the industry’s strong history of responsible leadership.
It also underpins the industry’s strategic importance in our economy and society, and its vital role in creating a safer, more sustainable future for all Australians.
About the program
Globally, Responsible Care® is now practiced in more than 65 countries around the world. It is overseen by the International Council of Chemical Associations, of which we are a member.
Chemistry Australia administers the Australian arm of the program.
Responsible Care® helps our signatories to ensure their products are being used and made responsibly throughout the value chain. It also promotes a leadership culture, continuous improvement, a life-cycle oriented approach, and transparent stakeholder engagement.
The principles of Responsible Care® are fundamentally aligned with the Australian industry’s excellent culture and commitment to maintain a strong social licence to operate, one of the pillars of the Strategic Industry Roadmap.
Our Responsible Care® program is only open to Chemistry Australia member companies, and most Corporate Members are expected to commit to the program. The brand is protected by trademark.
The program fits with existing business processes and management systems, and complements other systems and standards such as ISO, Australian Standards and the Global Reporting Initiative.
Members have access to a toolkit of practical resources that guide their implementation of Responsible Care®.
Chemistry Australia offers a number of initiatives under the Responsible Care® umbrella to further support members. These include:
- Industry performance reporting
- Product stewardship initiatives
- Guidance notes for members and their supply chains
- Codes of Practice for industry-specific activities
We encourage all organisations involved in the business of chemistry to take part in Responsible Care®. For more information please contact phone 03 9611 5400 or email [email protected].
OTHER ITEMS IN THIS SECTION
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Signatories Signatories to our Responsible Care Program demonstrate their commitment and leadership. -
Site and Supply Chain Security Guidance The Site and Supply Chain Security Guidance provides a risk based approach to identify, assess and control vulnerabilities based on the process defined in ISO 31000 Risk Management: Principles and Guidelines. -
Code of Practice for Supply Diversion into Illicit Drug Manufacture This Code of Practice is a joint industry initiative working towards a uniform national approach on chemical supply diversion into illicit drug manufacture.
