Chemistry Business Leaders Gather for Annual Conference to Address Industry Environmental, Health, Safety Issues

With a focus on sustainability, process safety, and product stewardship, chemical industry leaders are convening this week at the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) 20th Annual Responsible Care Conference & Expo in Miami.

This annual conference enables industry leaders to learn from their peers and other experts in the field about strategies to improve their companies’ environmental, health, safety and security performance and expand business opportunities. Sessions at the conference cover a range of issues, including safety and security in the chemical industry; how current regulations, including EPA’s new Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule, are affecting companies; and corporate sustainability strategies and product stewardship initiatives.

Facility security issues are a priority for ACC members, and conference sessions will provide attendees with guidance and information on reauthorization plans for the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS); Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assessments of companies’ Site Security Plans; and steps companies can take to prepare for their government security inspections.

This year's conference also will focus on how member and Partner companies are implementing sustainability strategies as a platform to achieve better business practices, and contribute to their social, economic and environmental objectives. Among the topics being addressed at the conference is the concept of “product safetyship,” which focuses on product life cycle, innovation, and shared stewardship responsibility between suppliers and customers in the value chain.

In addition, ACC is currently undertaking a strategic review of the Responsible Care program, to evaluate the extent to which it continues to deliver appropriate performance improvements, meet public expectations and provide sufficient business and reputation value for the industry. Responsible Care practitioners attending the conference will have the opportunity to provide their feedback on how the program should expand and grow in the future.

Responsible Care is the chemical industry’s world-class environmental, health, safety and security performance initiative. For more than 20 years, Responsible Care has helped ACC member companies significantly enhance their performance and reputation, discover new business opportunities, and improve the health and safety of their employees and communities and the environment as a whole. For more information, visit www.americanchemistry.com/rc.