INTRODUCTION Responsible Care is the global chemical ... · The global chemical industry has embraced Responsible are because it is viewed as “good citizenship” with a positive

Procedure RC503.1 RC14001®

American Chemistry Council

Requirements for Accreditation Bodies, Certification Bodies, Organizations and American Chemistry Council

October 2017 1

INTRODUCTION

Responsible Care

Responsible Care is the global chemical industry’s comprehensive environment, health and safety

performance improvement initiative. It is developed, adopted and managed by chemical associations

along with their member companies to continuously improve environmental, health and safety (EHS)

performance of their operations and products in a manner responsive to the concerns of the public.

Responsible Care was first adopted as a new model for the management of chemicals by the Chemistry

Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) in 1985 and has since been adopted by chemical associations in

more than 60 economies. Responsible Care is the basis of significant cultural change within the

chemical industry which leads to improved performance and new levels of dialogue with the public

about issues of mutual concern.

The global chemical industry has embraced Responsible Care because it is viewed as “good citizenship”

with a positive impact on companies’ performance, economic bottom line and competitiveness. For the

individual company, implementation of Responsible Care leads to improved efficiency, lower

environment, health, safety and security costs and improved relations with stakeholders. For the global

chemical industry, successful implementation of Responsible Care demonstrates an appropriate public

policy which protects its license to operate and its ability to innovate and meet society’s demands for its

products. For the public, successful implementation of Responsible Care ensures that the chemical

industry will continue to provide beneficial products to society and continually reduce its impacts, while

maximizing its positive contributions to human health, the economy and society.

One of the key tenets of Responsible Care is openness and responsiveness to public and other

stakeholder concerns about the management of chemicals. Therefore, the chemical industry has a keen

appreciation of the need to seek input from the public and other interested groups, include this input in

its development of policies, programs and priorities, and report on its progress in these areas.

Note: In a number of countries, including the United States, security is a component of Responsible Care.

RC14001

RC14001 was originally developed by the American Chemistry Council (www.americanchemistry.com)

for use by its members and Responsible Care Partners as part of its Responsible Care certification

process and reflects ACC program priorities (e.g., Security, Product Safety, etc.). The RC14001 Technical

Specification combines the elements of the American Chemistry Council’s (“ACC”) Responsible Care

initiative with those of the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, adopted by the International

Organization for Standardization (“ISO”) in 1996 and as amended in 2015. RC14001 enables an

organization to obtain, through an application and audit process, a certification that its management

system conforms to both the ISO 14001 standard and a broader scope of Responsible Care elements.

http://www.americanchemistry.com/




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For ACC’s members and Responsible Care Partners, RC14001 certification, in accordance with

established requirements, allows them to meet the Council’s certification requirements.

The RC14001 Technical Specification document consists of the actual text of ISO 14001 and additional

text in corresponding “boxed” sections. These boxed sections include the additional Responsible Care

elements required under the RC14001 scope. ACC believes that conformance to RC14001 can assist

organizations in achieving the desirable goals and objectives set forth in both Responsible Care and ISO

14001. Copies of RC14001:2015 can be obtained at www.americanchemistry.com/store

RC14001 Outside the Chemical Industry

While originally developed by ACC for use by its companies, RC14001 is applicable and available on a

worldwide basis to organizations regardless of their operations. ACC encourages the use of RC14001 if it

meets an organization’s business needs. Organizations outside the ACC membership seeking RC14001

certification must conform to the requirements of the Technical Specification and other requirements

set forth in this procedure document. Certification bodies seeking to provide RC14001 certification

must likewise conform to the requirements set forth in this procedure and obtain accreditation from an

ACC-designated accreditation body. Information links on accreditation bodies authorized by ACC to

provide accreditation services and accredited certification bodies can also be found on

www.americanchemistry.com.

An organization which obtains RC14001 certification may identify itself as being “RC14001 certified”

within the scope of its management system. RC14001 certification does not confer any rights to use the

Responsible Care logo or to identify the organization as a “Responsible Care” entity. Use of the

Responsible Care logo and name are restricted to companies which meet the Responsible Care

membership and program requirements established by national and regional chemical federations. A

listing of chemical federations with recognized Responsible Care programs can be found in the

RC14001:2015 Technical Specification (Annex C). Membership in one of these national or regional

chemical federations does not necessarily mean that the organization is a participant in Responsible

Care and eligible to use the name and logo.

http://www.americanchemistry.com/store





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1.0 PURPOSE

To ensure that the RC14001 certification process sustains public confidence and acceptance by defining the requirements for accreditation bodies (ABs), certification bodies (CBs) , organizations seeking RC14001 certification and American Chemistry Council.

2.0 SCOPE

This procedure applies to:

Accreditation bodies accrediting certification bodies for RC14001 purposes

Certification bodies providing RC14001 certification services

Organizations seeking certification to RC14001


3.0 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

American Chemistry Council (ACC) – the primary trade association representing the business of chemistry in the United States. It is the sponsor of Responsible Care in the United States (www.americanchemistry.com). Responsible Care – a global environmental, health, safety and security performance initiative which was first adopted in Canada in 1985. The initiative’s goals are continual improvement and responsiveness to stakeholders’ concerns about the chemical industry’s products and operations. RC14001 - An option for certification under the ACC’s Responsible Care initiative. The requirements for RC14001 can be found in ACC’s document numbered RC151 (current version). RC14001 certification is available to any organization regardless of sector, affiliation or geographic location.

4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 Accreditation Bodies

4.1.1 Accreditation services for RC14001 shall be limited to those International

Accreditation Forum members authorized by ACC.

4.1.2 Authorization shall be based on ACC’s assessment of the accreditation body’s

knowledge of Responsible Care and the requirements of RC14001; evidence that

its assessors have attended and passed an approved Responsible Care auditor

training course and completed any additional ACC-required

awareness/education training (e.g., webinars, workshops, exams, etc.,).





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4.1.3 Authorized accreditation bodies’ roles and responsibilities shall be formalized

through a Memorandum of Understanding with ACC.

4.1.4 The accreditation body shall identify a designated liaison for communications

with ACC.

4.1.5 ACC reserves the right to review accreditation bodies’ assessors during CBs’

office and/or field audits.

4.1.6 Accreditation Bodies seeking to offer RC14001 services shall contact ACC (See

Reference Links in Appendix 3) for information about the process and steps for

gaining authorization to accredit.

4.2 Certification Bodies

4.2.1 Certification bodies providing RC14001 certification services shall meet the

requirements of ISO/IEC 17021 (current version) and other relevant ISO/IEC

procedures; requirements of this ACC procedure; and relevant requirements of

other ACC procedures identified in this document.

4.2.2 The CB shall ensure that all auditors providing RC14001 certification services

meet the requirements of ACC document RC205 (current version).

4.2.2.1 CBs conducting audits outside of North America may utilize guidance

found in Appendix 1 to identify audit team members.

4.2.3 The CB shall ensure that audit schedules are consistent with guidance provided

in Appendix 2 of this document regarding audit duration.

4.2.4 The CB shall ensure that all personnel engaged in RC14001 services (sales,

marketing, oversight, etc.,) understand the requirements for RC14001

certification.

4.2.5 CBs offering RC14001 services to ACC members and ACC Responsible Care

Partners shall ensure that auditors and other personnel engaged in RC 14001

services are familiar with ACC document RC501 (Requirements for ACC Members

and Responsible Care Partners – current version) and its requirements.

4.2.6 Certification designations shall be to “RC14001®” (“RC14001®: (year representing current version)”).

4.2.6.1 Certificates issued for RC14001 shall not include:




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The Responsible Care logo (hands and molecules)

“Responsible Care®” trademark.

The term Responsible Care® 14001 4.2.6.2 ISO 14001 inclusion

CBs shall have the option of including a reference to ISO 14001 certification within the text of a RC14001 certificate.

4.2.7 CBs accredited for RC14001 shall designate a member of their staff as a primary

contact with ACC.

4.2.8 The CB shall ensure that the ACC has access, upon request, to RC14001 audits for observation purposes. The CB shall communicate this situation to potential clients.

4.3 Organizations Seeking RC14001 Certification

4.3.1 Organizations seeking RC14001 certification shall demonstrate conformance to

the requirements found in the RC14001 Technical Specification (RC151 – current

version).

4.3.2 Organizations seeking RC14001 certification shall only employ CBs accredited to

conduct RC14001 audits.

4.3.3 An organization which obtains RC14001 certification shall identify itself as being

“RC14001®: (year representing current version) certified” within the scope of its

management system.

4.3.3.1 RC14001 certification does not confer any rights to use the Responsible

Care logo or to identify the organization as a “Responsible Care” entity.

4.3.3.2 Use of the Responsible Care logo and name are restricted to companies

which meet the Responsible Care membership and program

requirements established by national and regional chemical federations.

Note: A listing of chemical federations with recognized Responsible Care programs can be found in

the RC14001®:2015 Technical Specification’s Annex C. Membership in one of these national or

regional chemical federations does not necessarily mean that the organization is a participant in

Responsible Care and eligible to use the name and logo.




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4.3.4 While not required, ACC encourages organizations outside of its

membership/Partnership companies which have been certified to RC14001 to

report the details of their audit (organization name, location, dates, contact

person) to ACC for the purpose of tracking RC14001’s growth. See Appendix 3

for ACC contact information.

4.3.5 ACC members and Responsible Care Partners shall also conform to

requirements found in RC501 (current version).

4.4 American Chemistry Council

4.4.1 The American Chemistry Council shall provide oversight for authorized

Accreditation Bodies through periodic reviews of the Accreditation Bodies’

conformance to terms of their ACC Memorandum of Understanding.

4.4.2 ACC shall maintain a listing of authorized Accreditation Bodies, accredited CBs,

and Responsible Care certification procedures on its public website at

www.americanchemistry.com.

4.4.3 ACC shall ensure the proper and timely maintenance and updating of this and

other relevant procedures.

4.4.4 ACC shall ensure timely communications of proposed changes to the RC14001

Technical Specification (RC151) to authorized Accreditation Bodies and CBs.

4.4.5 ACC shall communicate information regarding supplemental auditor training

requirements and, if necessary, deliver said supplemental training when

warranted.

5.0 Records Generated

Records required under ISO/IEC 17021

ACC-Accreditation Body Memorandum(s) of Understanding

Plans for audits conducted under provisions found in Appendix 1. (Audits conducted outside

North America)

List of approved Certification Bodies (ACC website www.americanchemistry.com)

6.0 Reference Documents

ISO 17021 – Conformity Assessment – Requirements for Bodies Providing Auditing and

Certification of Management Systems (current version)






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RC151 – RC14001 (current version) Technical Specification

RC205 (current version) - Responsible Care Certification Auditor Qualification and Training

Requirements

RC501 (current version) Requirements for ACC Members and Responsible Care Partners

7.0 Reference Links

ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) www.anab.org


www.americanchemistry.com (general information/Responsible Care Certification

Procedures and Service Provider information

www.americanchemistry.com/store (To purchase copies of the RC14001 Technical

Specification)

http://www.anab.org/






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Appendix 1 – Conducting RC14001 audits outside North America

American Chemistry Council recognizes and applauds the expansion of RC14001 use beyond its

membership/Partnership ranks to organizations across the globe. ACC seeks to support this continued

growth through the expansion of RC14001 “infrastructure” including the number of qualified CBs and

their auditors and approved auditor training course providers. ACC is also cognizant of the fact that

outside North America an imbalance exists between the number of organizations seeking RC14001

certification and the number of available, locally-based and qualified auditors (those meeting

requirements of RC205). This imbalance can add to the organization’s certification costs if auditors

must travel from the US or other regions to conduct the audit.

To address situations where local RC14001 auditor resources may not be present, ACC has developed

the following requirements for CBs seeking to service clients on a timely basis utilizing a “mixed” audit

team approach with qualified Responsible Care auditors (meet requirements of RC 205) and locally-

based ISO 14001 auditors. CBs offering RC14001 audit services outside North America (defined as

United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean) and seeking to utilize the “mixed”

audit team approach shall conform to the following requirements:

1. At least six weeks prior to the start of the RC14001 audit, the CB shall submit to ACC the following:

a. Name of the organization and location which will be audited to RC14001

b. Other Management Systems, if any, which will be audited in conjunction with RC14001 (e.g.,

ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001, etc.)

c. Names of the audit team members indicating which auditor(s) is (are) qualified Responsible

Care auditors

i. The (a) qualified Responsible Care auditor shall be designated Team Leader

ii. Other members of the audit team must be qualified, per CB’s requirements, to audit

for ISO 14001

iii. Translators and/or technical experts supporting the auditors shall not be considered

part of the audit team

d. Audit Plan including timeline and schedule indicating which sections of the RC14001

Technical Specification will be audited by each team member

2. Information submitted by the CB shall be reviewed by ACC within one week of receipt with an

indication to the CB as to whether the audit can move forward or additional information is required.




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3. During the course of the audit, the qualified Responsible Care auditor(s), in addition to their other

responsibilities, shall review Responsible Care requirements (found in “boxes”) in the Technical

Specification. Other members of the audit team will focus on other sections of the Technical

Specification. ACC recognizes that clear lines between ISO 14001’s requirements and unique

Responsible Care requirements may not always exist, but certain unique elements such as product

safety and stewardship, stakeholder dialogue and employee involvement shall be reviewed by a

qualified Responsible Care auditor.

4. The lead auditor (qualified Responsible Care auditor) shall be responsible for making the final

recommendation regarding certification to the CB.

5. Following conclusion of the RC14001 audit, the ASP shall provide a report to ACC on any process-

related issue/challenges, if identified, which occurred during the course of the audit.

6. The CB shall maintain appropriate records of the audit.

Audit plans and any information requests shall be forwarded to ACC at:

Daniel Roczniak Senior Director, Responsible Care & VCO American Chemistry Council [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]




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Appendix 2 – Establishing Auditor Time for RC14001 Audits

When determining Auditor Time for RC14001 audits, the CB shall rely upon information in IAF

Mandatory Document 5, Determination of Audit Time of Quality and Environmental Management

Systems (current version), as the starting point for its calculations. RC14001 audit duration will utilize

information related to IAF MD 5’s EMS tables. CBs shall add 20% additional time to the IAF totals to

reflect the increased scope of the RC14001 management system’s requirements. All other adjustments

and formulas for determining audit duration found in IAF MD 5’s EMS section are valid for RC14001

audit calculations.




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APPENDIX 3 – ACC Contact information

For information regarding RC14001, please contact:

Daniel Roczniak Senior Director, Responsible Care and Value Chain Outreach 700 Second Street NE Washington, DC 20002 202-249-691 [email protected]

Inquiries may also be sent to ACC at:

[email protected]

Copies of the RC14001 Technical Specification may be obtained at: www.americanchemistry.com/store







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APPENDIX 4 – Accreditation Body

As of September 2017, accreditation bodies which accredit for RC14001 include:

ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB)

ANAB Contact Information

Tina Garner

Accreditation Manager, Management Systems

600 N. Plankinton, Suite 300

Milwaukee, WI 53203

414-501-5481

[email protected]





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DOCUMENT CONTROL

Name and Title Signature Date

Written By: ACC Procedures Task Force Andy Piper, Chair

9/15/2017

Owner: ACC Responsible Committee Maria Krysa, Chair

10/30/2017

Approved By: ACC Responsible Care® Committee Maria Krysa, Chair

10/30/2017

REVISION LOG

REVISION

NO:

REASON FOR CHANGE(S):

DATE:

01 This document along with new RC501 and RC502 replace previous RC201

and RC204 documents.

10/30/2017