CIAC celebrates 40 years of Responsible Care® 

January 20, 2025

This year marks the 40^th anniversary of Responsible Care and the Chemistry Industry of Canada (CIAC) is celebrating the legacy of the chemistry industry’s sustainability initiative. 

“This year marks a major milestone for the Canadian chemistry industry. We are celebrating 40 years of active engagement by our industry to live the Responsible Care Ethic to do the right thing and be seen to do the right thing,” said Greg Moffatt, President and CEO of CIAC. “The ethic and principles of Responsible Care are just as relevant now, if not more so, as they were in 1985.” 

Responsible Care was launched by CIAC, then known as the Canadian Chemical Producers’ Association (CCPA), in 1985. The term was coined by then CIAC president, Jean Bélanger, also known as the godfather of Responsible Care. Responsible Care is now practiced in 73 countries and by 96 of the 100 largest chemical producers in the world. 

The initiative outlines the ethic, principles and codes that CIAC members are audited against every three years as a condition of membership. Reports can be found on CIAC’s website.  

“The Operations, Stewardship, and Accountability Codes guide the decisions CIAC members make every day – decisions that are key to creating more sustainable products and processes,” said Kara Edwards, Vice-President of Responsible Care at CIAC. 

“Continuous improvement is fundamental to Responsible Care, our members continually work for the improvement of people’s lives and the environment. Today’s climate challenges make Responsible Care even more important for our members.” 

Throughout the year, CIAC will be sharing stories from our members that highlight their commitment to Responsible Care through transparency and community engagement over the past 40 years. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and X, and sign up for our newsletter, ChemNews, on our website.