In 1991, the Indian Chemical Manufacturers
Association (ICMA) launched the Responsible Care initiative. It
was formally adopted by the association two years later after
the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA),the
apex authority for the RC movement, granted ICMA the status of
'corresponding member' in 1992. Twenty-three members - 9% of ICMA's
total membership became signatories for RC commitment in 1993.ICMA
was granted the right to use the RC logo and title in 1994 by
which time there were 40 signatories.
Today, there are 56 member-companies who have signed the
Responsible Care commitment. As trustees of RC for the Indian
chemical industry, ICMA is responsible for:
-
Registering and protecting the use of
the RC title and logo and framing rules for
use of the logo by members. The process of registration
is taking place with the trademark attorneys.
ICMA has decided to grant use of the logo only after
50% of members become signatories and all six codes of practice
are adopted and verified, and indicators of performance are
regularly made available to ICMA.
-
Facilitating the sharing of experiences
among members. This is done through the Responsible Care Core
Group (RCCG) meeting, which is often held in the factories of
member companies.This is held about five or six times a year.
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Guiding members on self-auditing of RC
implementation.
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Maintaining the highest level of integrity
for RC and ensuring that the same is in line with ICCA guidelines.
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Serving as link between the signatories
in India and the regional and international groups of signatories.
RC signatories take on a number of obligations when
they make a commitment to the program. After the chief executive
officer of the company or the site chief makes a personal and
public commitment to the Ten Guiding Principles, the company nominates
a co-ordinator. He, or his representative, attends the RC core
group meetings and is responsible for submitting the self-evaluation
forms for different Codes of Management Practices from time to
time as decided in the meeting.
ICMA prioritized three management codes-Process
Safety, Employee Health and Safety and Pollution Prevention-in
the first year of implementation (1993-94).Till date the following
codes have been adopted :
1. the
Process Safety Code
2. the
Employee Health and Safety Code
3. the Pollution
Prevention Code
4. the Emergency
Responsible Code
The Distribution code is in the process of being
implemented. This will be followed by implementation of the Product
Stewardship Code.
RESPONSIBLE CARE - Implementation Procedure
at BASF in India
-
Commitment to Responsible
Care signed in March’ 98 (Indian Chemical Manufacturers
Association).
-
Formation of Core group
to review & monitor Responsible Care implementation.
-
Meeting of core group every
month.
-
Review status of Responsible
Care Program in Central Safety Committee Meeting every month.
-
Meeting of BASF Group Companies
in India once a Quarter to review the status of the measures
to be taken or already taken to conform to ‘The Codes of
Management Practices”
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