Responsible Care

The global Responsible Care initiative ( acting responsibly ) stands for the determination of the chemical industry, regardless of legal requirements, according to a continuous improvement of the company in the areas of environment, safety and health ( Environment, Safety, and Health ) to strive and this progress regular public show. With Responsible Care, the chemical industry would contribute to the solution of global ( environmental ) problems in the areas falling within its responsibilities and sphere of influence. International is the protected characteristic logo with two hands, which embrace an imaginary chemical compound for the initiative.

The initiative was a response to the bad image that had the chemical industry due to various accidents and books such as Silent Spring in the population. After the Bhopal disaster, which lowered the already bad reputation in the industry even deeper, work out in 1984, member companies of the Canadian Association of Chemical Industries (Canadian Chemical Producers Association ( CCPA ) ) Principles for Responsible Care A few years later, these principles were from European chemical Associations (European Chemical Industry Council ( CEFIC) ) taken with the aim to implement the program in all national chemical industry association in Europe. Thus, the chemical industry was one of the first sectors to the concept of corporate social responsibility assumed proactively. However, the initiative was not without its critics: for example, King and Lenox came (2000) to the conclusion that participation in Responsible Care in comparison to non-members no effect have on the environmental performance of companies, particularly those companies are members of the initiative working with very toxic chemicals.

In Germany there is the initiative since 1991. It is headed by the German Chemical Industry Association ( VCI). About a partnership agreement of the trade by the Association of Chemical Trade ( VCH) is involved. The participation of the employers' association and the trade union IG BCE BAVC is guaranteed by a social partner agreement on Responsible Care.

The general framework of Responsible Care encompasses six areas of responsibility:

Environmental protection: products and production processes are to be made steadily safer and more environmentally friendly.

Product Responsibility: All the information necessary for evaluation of a product in terms of its effects on health, environment and safety are determined. The marketing of products is limited or whose production is all set, if the results of a risk assessment, precautionary measure to protect human health and the environment requires.

Work safety / health and plant safety / security: The security level of the production processes and safety at work are constantly evolving.

Transport safety: the constant improvement of existing and the development of new methods and techniques for transport, handling or storage, the transport risk is to be constantly reduced.

Dialogue: Dialogue is an important tool for the creation of trust and acceptance. Dialogue within the meaning of Responsible Care means the opinions and wishes of employees, customers and the public actively absorb and integrate as much as possible in the corporate objectives.