The American Chemistry Council and the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association have released a joint statement announcing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding “to collaborate on the establishment of a Responsible Care program for the benefit of GPCA’s members and their stakeholders."

Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, secretary general of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), and Cal Dooley, president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), jointly released the following statement to announce their signing of a Memorandum of Understanding “to collaborate on the establishment of a Responsible Care®program for the benefit of GPCA’s members and their stakeholders.”  Responsible Care is the global chemical industry’s signature environment, health and safety performance initiative within chemical facilities and along their supply chains. Participation in Responsible Care is a requirement for membership in the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA).

“The Responsible Care ethic is our industry’s foundation for a sustainable future. Launched in Canada more than 20 years ago, it covers all aspects of chemical industry activity: process safety, pollution prevention, distribution safety, product stewardship, security, community awareness and emergency response. GPCA is developing its Responsible Care program with the goal of obtaining ICCA recognition in 2010. 

“The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) we signed today represents a promise by our organizations - and their members - to our employees, communities, and supply chains that will help ensure the products of chemistry can continue to improve the quality of life in the Gulf region and worldwide.

“As organizations, we are committing to build a Responsible Care program that will expand our commitment to sound chemicals management, product stewardship and safety to the companies, employees, and communities represented by the GPCA members and their supply chains. GPCA promises to develop and implement Responsible Care program elements, establish a Responsible Care infrastructure within the association and its members, and promote the value-added benefits of Responsible Care to stakeholders. Of crucial importance, to ensure conformance with Responsible Care requirements, GPCA will obtain third-party verification of company efforts. These efforts are undertaken with the full support of GPCA members.

“ACC promises to assist GPCA by providing staff support, institutional assistance, training and workshops for company and association personnel. In particular, ACC will assist GPCA in developing overall program management and administration capacity, documentation and procedures, member and stakeholder communications, and outreach activity. ACC members look forward to learning more about this important region and how efforts here can be applied in the U.S. and the other 53 economies that are today part of the Responsible Care family.

“Finally, through the MOU, GPCA and ACC promise the people of the Gulf region that we will work together to help Gulf chemical producers achieve the goal defined by the UN’s Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) - that by 2020, ‘chemicals are used and produced in ways that lead to the minimization of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment.’   Responsible Care is making this possible in the U.S. and worldwide, and it will do so in the GCC region.

“We and our members are excited to share in this effort, and we look forward to GPCA’s admission to the ICCA’s Responsible Care Leadership Group next year as a measure of the progress we will make together.”

For more information, visitwww.gpca.org.aeorwww.americanchemistry.com.