The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) has this week been accepted into the Responsible Care Leadership programme, the global chemical industry’s signature environmental, health and safety performance initiative.
The GPCA’s application for membership was unanimously endorsed by the 23 members attending the RCLG meeting hosted by GPCA in Dubai earlier in the week. RCLG is currently composed of 51 senior executives representing global chemical producers and regional/ national producers associations and had been established to review progress on the implementation of the Responsible Care which is the chemical industry’s unique global initiative that drives continuous improvement in health, safety and environmental (HSE) performance, together with open and transparent communication with stakeholders.
The chairman of GPCA Responsible Care Committee, Abdulrahman Jawahery commented on the occasion: “The GPCA remains committed to working closely with our stakeholder and international associations to ensure that the chemical industry in the Arabian Gulf and Middle East region is a responsible global player.”
“Our region is steadily becoming a more significant player in the chemical business. Our products are being used throughout the globe and our production facilities are considered world-class both in terms of production capacities and safety, health and environmental standards observed. This places a significant responsibility on our shoulders to play a more active role, a responsibility that we are now in a stronger position to fulfill thanks to our membership in RCLG,” he added.
GPCA membership in RCLG paves the way for full membership to the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), which is the global platform where issues relevant to the global chemical industry are discussed and debated. The ICCA is composed of national and regional Chemicals Associations all over the world. ICCA is active in endorsing the implementation of the Responsible Care which is a voluntary Initiative that was launched in 1985 by the Canadian Chemical Producers Association. Now 53 national and regional associations worldwide have adopted this Initiative and ICCA monitors the implementation and ensures its integrity.
Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, the secretary general of GPCA said: “This endorsement gives us the impetus to play a more active role in shaping the policies and regulation governing the global chemical industry.”
“This is a vote of confidence by the international community in the GPCA and reflects the commitment made by the GPCA’s board of directors to abide by the Responsible Care Global Charter and observe the sustainable development practices in the Gulf petrochemical and chemical industry. We strongly support ICCA’s global initiatives focused towards the United Nations efforts to use and produce chemicals in ways that lead to reduced energy use, minimal greenhouse gas emissions and preservation and protection of natural resources,” he added.
“Responsible Care is our industry’s foundation for a sustainable future,” said Peter Cartwright, chair of the ICCA’s Responsible Care Leadership Group and executive director of Environment, Health and Safety at Dow-Corning. “GPCA’s commitment to Responsible Care represents a beneficial expansion of the programme in the Gulf and Middle East region. We’re proud to recognise GPCA’s strong commitment to chemicals management, product stewardship, and the safety of employees and communities in which they operate.”
