Responsible Care

 Responsible Care

Responsible Care

Indian Chemical Council, apex industry body representing chemical industry in India is a nodal body pursuing "Responsible Care Programme", a global initiative through International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) since about 2003, but the initial lag period extended till about 2006 for motivating industry to come forward for adoption of this ethical voluntary programme. Today, 53 enlightened industry groups hold Responsible Care (RC) logo in the country, while a total of 147 industries are signatories to the programme, pursuing implementation of Codes of management practice

ICC is considering 6 Codes of management practice for evaluation to award RC logo to the member industries, which include:

1. Product stewardship code;
2. Process safety code;
3. Employee health & safety code;
4. Pollution prevention code;
5. Emergency response and communication code; and
6. Distribution code.

ICC has introduced 'Security Code' as voluntary for the year 2019.

Each Code has certain attributes for compliance, which are grouped into 4 elements for the purpose of clarity i.e. management, technology, facilities and people related attributes. ICC published a Guidance Manual on RC, in which, each code-specific attributes for compliance are highlighted, as guidance to the RC pursuing industries, for ready reference.

ICC considered a framework for award of RC logo in India, which seeks the industries to sign their commitment for RC guiding principles as a first step; conducts gap assessment to identify the improvement measures; and after reasonable implementation in respect of each code of management practice, industry invites RC auditors for verification, in order to offer RC logo; then an audit Team will be deputed for detailed evaluation of Code-specific compliance and opportunities for improvement. Same will be scrutinised by the Apex Group to take a decision on award of logo and duration of validity. It is compulsory to all the signatories to submit KPI / GPS / PSE every year to ICC.

This approach of ICC assigns a significant value for RC logo and drives industries towards journey to achieve reasonable level of implementation. ICC take pride in achieving gradual significance to the RC logo in India from the respective regulatory Boards, which are extending soft incentives for those industries, which have obtained RC logo i.e. GPCB implementing and TNPCB intending 2 years additional consent validity period and fast-track clearance mechanism for RC logo holding industries, in respective States.

The Govt. of India is a signatory to SAICM and several international conventions, besides brings-in frequent regulatory updations, which seeks the industry for continuous improvements in the domain of environment, health, safety and security management. In addition, increased literacy and awareness levels in the country are becoming key drivers for ever mounting public pressure on the chemical industry. Therefore, ICC is advocating that "Responsible Care" is no more a choice, but an imperative for sustained growth of business in India.

ICC introduced annual awards since 2013, for recognition of excellence in implementation of RC Codes, which include:

1. Each Code-specific excellence in performance certificateto an industry group/business vertical; and
2. ICC Aditya Birla Award for Best Responsible Care Committed Company : considering all the Codes together.

For further details, please refer:

1. ICC Guidance Note on "Responsible Care Programme for Chemical Industry: At A Glance" - IGN/RC/1-July, 2016 (Please click to view and download)
2. "Responsible Care Manual" Second Edition - Priced at INR 2000/-& "Set of "Responsible Care Code Guidance Manual" (4 Codes) - Priced at INR 5000/-, can be obtained by placing a DD in favor of Indian Chemical, Council, payable at Mumbai.
3. List of member industries awarded/permitted to use RC logo (Please click to view and download).
4. List of member industries, which are signatories to RC Programme, pursuing implementation of Codes of management practice (Please click to view and download).

and please reach: iccmumbai@iccmail.in

 

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Applicability of Responsible Care Programme in India

1. Chemical industries involved in processing (speciation of chemical)/manufacturing (addition of chemicals) irrespective of size and quantity of chemicals involved; and other industries involved in using/handling of hazardous chemicals (ref. MoEF&CC Schedule of hazardous chemicals) more than threshold quantity, are eligible to pursue Responsible Care Programme. 
2. All the industries need to have membership of ICC (either member or associate member).  
3. Both 1&2 conditions shall be applicable for identifying industries to which RC programme is preferable. 
4. If the Associate Members does not qualify point 1 above, they still can take the advisory services of ICC's Auditors for sound management of chemicals, while they may not be eligible for RC logo

 

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RESPONSIBLE CARE PROGRAM : 
Competency Mapping, Mastering, Analogy And Development (Recap-Command) - One Of The Sub - Components Of Icc's Umbrella Program On Sound Management Of Chemicals

The Indian chemical industry is projected to achieve significant growth in the coming years considering ever increasing domestic consumption patterns, besides further supported by the Government initiated Petro-Chemical and Petroleum Infrastructure Regions (PCPIRs) for improved feed stock security to the downstream chemical industry, besides world class infrastructure with access to ports for international reach; and other trade, 'ease of doing business' initiatives.