Since 1985, the global initiative Responsible Care has stood for the desire of the chemical industry to work together for ongoing improvement of performance in terms of quality, health & safety and the environment, irrespective of legal requirements, and to communicate this progress to the public at large. The principle of sustainability, which is central to this initiative, is becoming increasingly important as we become increasingly aware of the need to safeguard the environment.

Responsible Care opens to logistics providers

Until late 2008, participation in the Responsible Care Programme was only open to manufacturers and distributors in the industry. In late 2008, this situation changed with the umbrella organisation, ETCA (European Chemical Transport Association), signing the declaration of support for Responsible Care and thereby opening the way for ECTA members likewise to become actively involved in the Responsible Care scheme.

On 13th February 2009, to mark ECTA’s tenth birthday, nineteen logistics providers signed the Declaration of Support for the Responsible Care Global Charter in Barcelona. Klaus Wessing signed up on behalf of ALFRED TALKE GmbH & Co. KG, and in so doing, committed the TALKE Group to abide by the principles of Responsible Care.

This was the first time that external service providers have been accepted into the Responsible Care scheme in Europe. Through a series of ongoing improvements to existing processes and the development of new policies and technologies for the carriage, handling and storage of goods, the aim is to further minimise the risks associated with transportation.

Please read also:

• TALKE POLICY STATEMENT on Safety and Quality, Health and Environmental Protection, Responsible Care
• Special Interest Gela Special Issue, EPCA Annual Meeting 2009
  "Responsible Action pays off"

For more information about Responsible Care, please go to:

• Website of the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC)
• Website of the European Chemical Transport Association (ECTA)