Management Systems
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RCMS/RC14001
website.
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For a Description
of Futurepast's Five-
Phased Approach to
Management System
Implementation
RC 14001 & RCMS Focus On
Environment, Safety, Health & Security
Chemical companies and partners that are members of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) are working to meet ACC-imposed deadlines for demonstrating conformity to one of two environment, safety and health management systems.
By the end of 2005, member and partner companies must have in place a management system at their headquarters location that either meets the requirements of the ACC's "Responsible Care Management System" (RCMS) or a system that conforms to RC 14001.
By December 2007 audit approval will also be required for a sampling of the remainder of the ACC-member's US-located facilities. Certain small ACC member and partner companies may have until December 2006 to complete audits of their headquarters locations if they participate in a special ACC program.
In 2004 the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association (SOCMA) joined ACC in requiring its members to upgrade their systems to meet the RCMS or RC 14001 specification.
Conformance to RCMS will be demonstrated by one third-party audit in each three-year cycle, while RC 14001-based management systems will be audited periodically in accordance with schedules established by the organizations that issue certificates of registration.
The first step for chemical companies is selecting either RCMS or RC 14001 as the technical specifications for their management system.
Both specifications follow the Plan-Do-Check-Act model that has proven effective in improving organizational performance. Either approach enables an organization to manage its environment, safety and health risks and hazards in accordance with the ACC's seven Codes of Management Practice.
Ensuring conformity of an EH&S management system either to the RCMS specification or to the RC 14001 standard will help companies to reduce risks while improving operational efficiency. Improved EH&S performance should follow, leading to significant bottom-line benefits.
The seven Codes of Management Practice that play a key role in both the RCMS and RC 14001 specifications address:
- Community Awareness and Emergency Response
- Pollution Prevention
- Employee Health and Safety
- Distribution
- Process Safety
- Product Stewardship, and
- Security.
Organizations that take the RC 14001 approach will meet all the requirements of ISO 14001 in addition to those of Responsible Care.
Futurepast provides experienced consultants who have helped organizations in North America, Europe, and the Caribbean to design and implement environmental management systems based on ISO 14001. Because our consultants also work for ACC-acredited registrars, they know what it takes to achieve success with RCMS and RC 14001 implementation. Futurepast's consulting services include:
- Consulting on implementation
- Training staff on RCMS/RC 14001 interpretation and implementation
- Training internal auditors
- Providing internal auditing services.