Responsible care and credibility.

To help overcome the chemical industry's negative public image, the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA) developed a program it calls Responsible Care (1), and members of the CMA have agreed to adopt that program in its entirety and abide by its principles. Unfortunately, knowledge of this program among the public and indeed among members of the industry itself appears to be quite limited (2). The Responsible Care program is unique in its origins, goals, and scope. If universally adopted, the program could change forever the way the chemical industry does its business in the United States and around the world. The program was developed as a means of trying to change the public's perception of the chemical industry from one of ruthless, uncaring ambition, to one of trust, honesty, and credibility. While its origins may have risen to meet short term goals, it has evolved to encompass almost all aspects of how the chemical industry does its business and performs in relation to the community and the environment. Supporters of the program view Responsible Care as hope for the future and, if it is successful, future generations may look back and view the program as its foundation for ethical business practices. Some environmen-talists who oppose the program believe Responsible Care to be a smoke screen behind which it is business as usual. Responsible Care consists of a set of guiding principles and codes of management practices. These guiding principles and codes are far reaching in that they address the needs of the community, the manufacture of current and future chemical products, the development of governing regulations, the operation of chemical facilities, the protection of the environment, and the business practices of the industry. The manufacture, storage, disposal, and transport of hazardous chemicals are of vital concern to local communities ; in this regard, CMA members have promised openness and free communications concerning the nature and toxicities of their raw materials, manufactured products, and waste. In the planning of new products, there is a preference for manufacturing processes that minimize waste and by-products. The chemical industry has expressed willingness to help in the development of environmental regulations to replace the rigidity of the current system (3). Member companies promise to work with others (presumably government agencies such as the EPA) to clean up toxic materials already present in the environment that resulted from past handling and disposal of hazardous substances, and to …