As part of its ongoing commitment to strengthen its member-driven ChemStewards program, the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) has announced the addition of new benchmarks related to sustainability, training, and product stewardship.

Under the new standards, SOCMA members participating in the Environmental, Health, Safety and Security (EHS&S) program must achieve at least 90 percent implementation of rigorous criteria of action items focusing on training and product stewardship. Additionally, greenhouse gas emissions will be voluntarily reported via the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalence Calculator.

“We’re pleased that SOCMA members continue to raise the bar in reducing their carbon footprint, which is yet another example of their pledge to protecting the environment and serving as good corporate citizens,” said SOCMA president and CEO Lawrence D. Sloan. “Our members are committed to this goal not just on Earth Day but every day.”

Two years ago, SOCMA’s Board of Governors insisted that greater emphasis be placed on sustainability and recognition afforded to chemical companies that already excel in reducing their carbon footprint. To that end, a working group of member company EHS&S experts and SOCMA staff was tasked with evaluating and recommending changes to the ChemStewards program that would further emphasize the need to become more “green.”

In addition to approving the new metrics, SOCMA’s Board on April 12 also authorized the addition of a “Sustainability Award” to be presented at the association’s Annual Dinner in New York City this winter. Next month, ChemStewards will further explore the concept of sustainability and how it is defined for small and medium-sized chemical companies during its EHS&S and Sustainability National Conference on May 18 in Houston.

SOCMA will continue to upgrade the ChemStewards program with specific emphasis on sustainability. New tools will be developed to capture the uniqueness of its members and provide them with methods to aid them in becoming more “green” in all their processes and practices.
 
For more information, please visit www.socma.com.