American Chemistry Council renews agreement with EPA.
Press Release Summary:
American Chemistry Council (ACC) has renewed Memorandum of Understanding that establishes partnership between ACC's Responsible Care® initiative and EPA's National Environmental Performance Track program. Objective of MOU is to promote high levels of environmental performance and maximize dialog and collaboration between EPA and ACC. It also streamlines Performance Track application for Responsible Care-certified facilities and simplifies planning of site visits and audits.
Original Press Release:
ACC Renews Agreement With EPA to Promote Excellence in Environmental Performance
ARLINGTON, VA (March 29, 2007) - The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today announced it has renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes a partnership between ACC's Responsible Care® initiative and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Environmental Performance Track program (Performance Track).
Responsible Care is ACC's award-winning environmental, health, safety and security (EHSS) performance initiative. EPA's Performance Track is a voluntary public/private partnership that recognizes and rewards outstanding environmental performance by participating facilities.
The objective of the MOU is to promote high levels of environmental performance and improved dialogue and collaboration between EPA and ACC, and to increase awareness and recognition of the environmental results already achieved through ACC's Responsible Care program. Additionally, the MOU streamlines the Performance Track application for Responsible Care-certified facilities and simplifies the planning of site visits and audits whenever possible.
"The business practices of Responsible Care companies are the gold standard for health, safety, security and environmental performance," said ACC President and CEO Jack N. Gerard. "We believe the recognition provided in this MOU underscores the ongoing efforts and accomplishments that are unique to ACC members."
"Responsible Care is building commitments and new relationships for advancing the U.S. chemical industry's efforts to safeguard communities and the environment. This MOU recognizes our industry's historic and continuing commitment to go above and beyond government requirements in the pursuit of environmental excellence," said Carol Henry, ACC's Vice President of Industry Performance Programs.
The original June 2004 agreement included the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufactures Association (SOCMA) as a signatory along with ACC and EPA. Due to SOCMA's October 2005 decision to no longer implement Responsible Care, SOCMA members can no longer be recognized by this MOU.
The Responsible Care program includes independent certification of a company-wide EHSS management system and comprehensive, publicly reported performance measurements. ACC member companies and Responsible Care Partner companies adhere to the Responsible Care program as part of their membership obligations
Contact: Kendra Borja (703) 741-5835
Email: kendra_borja@americanchemistry.com
