Taking initiative on the environment. (Canadian Chemical Producers Association's Responsible Care program)(includes biographical information on Olin Corp's John W. Johnstone Jr.)

Canadians who feel overshadowed by American culture and economic power can take pride in the fact that the Canadian Chemical Producers Association (CCPA) pioneered what many consider one of the most dynamic environmental initiatives in the world today.

Conceived by the CCPA in the mid-1980s, Responsible Care has now been embraced by chemical industry associations in 19 nations around the world. Although each association has adapted the idea to its own country's particular needs and culture, the adoption of the program commits all signatory companies to strive to continuously improve their performance in the areas of health, safety and environmental quality. Responsible Care also requires companies to elicit and respond to public concerns about chemicals and company operations.

Beyond these ethical commitments, each Responsible Care initiative includes codes of management practice that require companies to set specific goals and time-tables for improving their performance in the areas of health, safety and the environment. In the United States, for example, the Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) Code requires companies to hold regular safety drills and other training exercises with local emergency responders (such as police, fire-fighters and civil defense personnel).

Responsible Care is beginning to show its influence in numerous ways. In the United States, for example, the 184 members of the U.S. Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA) reported earlier this year to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that from 1987 through 1990, they had slashed emissions of toxic chemicals by 35 per cent. At Olin Corporation, we have reduced total emissions of reportable chemicals by 55 per cent through 1991; our ultimate goal is to entirely eliminate such emissions. Yes, some of this was driven by strict environmental laws, but in many cases our aggressive pollution prevention efforts spring from the voluntary goals established under Responsible Care.

Other chemical industry associations around the world are beginning to report similar progress in …