Responsible Care program is a voluntary international initiative in the chemical industry. The sector is committed to strict self-regulation to enhance its health, safety, and environmental performance in all aspects.
The program is overseen by the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), which has defined basic criteria of Responsible Care.
Responsible Care program was initiated in Canada in 1985 by the Canadian national chemical industry association, which developed fundamental principles of Responsible Care. Shortly afterward, European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) adopted the program with the aim of implementing it across Europe through national chemical industry associations.
In Hungary, MAVESZ and its member companies have been participating in the program since the early 1990s. During MAVESZ’s 2023 general assembly, its member companies formally renewed their commitment, with 17 chemical producers and significant hazardous material storage capacity distributor businesses currently participating in the program.
Chemical companies that meet program’s requirements can obtain Responsible Care certificate. Hungarian Chemical Industry Association initiated its program for obtaining the certificate through independent auditors in 2014, further strengthening its members’ commitment to the principles and goals of Responsible Care.
Responsible Care program recognizes ISO 14001 and/or EMAS certificates. Companies with these certificates have already fulfilled some of the requirements set by Responsible Care program. Compliance with legal requirements is a fundamental condition. Companies must answer additional questions with at least an 80% score to pass the certification process. The certification process must be conducted at each of a company’s sites. Thus, if a company operates at multiple locations, several certification processes are required.
After the certification process under Responsible Care program is completed, a company, if it has met all the requirements, receives Responsible Care certificate from MAVESZ. Following this, the company is entitled to use Responsible Care logo and name for five years, following the guidelines of logo usage. Using the logo for product advertising is prohibited. After five years, a review must be conducted to extend the use of Responsible Care logo and name.
Like Responsible Care program, European Union’s EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) Regulation and International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 14001 standard are based on voluntary commitments of companies. However, a significant difference is that Responsible Care program is not limited to environmental requirements but also evaluates the company’s industrial safety, safety technology, health, and performance. It has a broader scope than the other two. Another important difference is that the requirements set by Responsible Care program were specifically developed for assessing the performance of chemical companies.
Presentation of certificates for audits carried out within the framework of Responsible Care program at the general assembly of MAVESZ:
DONAUCHEM Kft.
Szilvia Gazdag, project manager, receives Responsible Care certificate from Csaba Szabó, Director of MAVESZ.
BRENNTAG Kft.
Virág Nyitrai, QA manager, receives Responsible Care certificate from Csaba Szabó, Director of
MAVESZ.
ZOLTEK Zrt.
Iván Katona, EHS manager, receives Responsible Care certificate from Csaba Szabó, Director of
MAVESZ.
MOL PETROLKÉMIA Zrt.
Péter Császár, CEO, receives Responsible Care certificate from Csaba Szabó, Director of MAVESZ.
SPL EUROPE Kft. (korábban KISCHEMICALS)
József Lakatos, EHS manager, receives Responsible Care certificate from Angelika Tóth, Deputy Director of MAVESZ.
Framochem Kft.
Emri György, CEO, receives Responsible Care certificate from Tibor Klement, President of MAVESZ.
KisChemicals Kft.
László Kiss Jr., co-owner of KisChemicals Kft., receives Responsible Care certificate from Tibor Klement, President of MAVESZ.
ZOLTEK Zrt.
Lajos Király, Head of Environmental, Health, and Safety, receives Responsible Care certificate from Tibor Klement, President of MAVESZ.
NITROGÉNMŰVEK Zrt.
The certificate is presented to Gáspárné Bada Magda (MAVESZ), Dr. István Blazsek (Board Member of Nitrogénművek Zrt.), Mária Chronowski (Quality Management System Manager at Nitrogénművek Zrt.), László Zelovics (Head of HSE Department at Nitrogénművek Zrt.), and Iván Budai (MAVESZ).
BRENNTAG Hungária Kft.
András Szakolczai, CEO, receives Responsible Care certificate from Iván Budai, Director of MAVESZ.
DUNASTYR Polystyrene Manufacturer Zrt.
Tamás Varga, President-CEO, receives Responsible Care certificate from Tibor Klement, President of MAVESZ.
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