ICCA lauds GPCA’s commitment to safe product management

DUBAI — The Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association, or GPCA, on Thursday won praise and recognition from the International Council of Chemical Association’s (ICCA) Responsible Care Leadership Group, for its commitment to implement Responsible Care in order to advance the safe and secure management of chemical products and processes.

Published: Fri 24 Sep 2010, 11:25 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 11:53 AM

Launched in 1985, Responsible Care is the chemical industry’s signature environmental, health and safety performance initiative. Currently, 53 national and regional associations worldwide and numerous multinational chemical companies implement Responsible Care, and ICCA monitors its implementation and ensures its integrity.

GPCA represents more than 90 per cent of the chemical and petrochemical production in the Gulf. With strong support from ICCA and its member associations, GPCA developed its Responsible Care programme over the past year and is now seeking formal ICCA recognition of its initiative.

“GPCA is committed to the Responsible Care ethic and actively endorses sustainable development practices in the Gulf petrochemical and chemical industries,” said Dr Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General of GPCA.

He said the chemical and petrochemical companies have been contributing significantly in the region’s economies as they exported up to 75 per cent of their products.

“By helping to ensure that petrochemical and chemical companies in the Gulf Region embrace Responsible Care, we support global 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,” Al-Sadoun added.

The GPCA Vice-Chairman Yasser Rahim said the Gulf region is the best in the world in terms of environment and safety in chemical and petrochemical sector. “We are doing everything to implement the plan to further improve the safety and environment conditions in the industry.”

The GPCA is the first such industry association in the Middle East, which has grown from strength to strength since its inception in March 2006, steering the regional industry toward a new era of cooperation. The association aims to enhance the role of the region in international debate and policymaking to facilitate regional cooperation and to ensure that growth is both sustainable and socially responsible.

“Responsible Care is our industry’s foundation for a sustainable future,” said Peter Cartwright, Chair of the ICCA Responsible Care Leadership Group and Executive Director of Environment, Health and Safety at Dow-Corning.

Cartwright said the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) is the worldwide voice of the chemical Industry having turnover of €1,950 billion. He said ICCA members come from countries that account for more than 70 per cent of global chemical manufacturing operations.

“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.”

The ICCA board of directors will vote on acceptance of GPCA’s application for Responsible Care membership at its upcoming meeting, September 29-30 in Rome.

muzaffarrizvi@khaleejtimes.com