RESPONSIBLE
®
CARE
DISTRIBUTION CODE
Daniel Roczniak
Senior Director, Responsible Care
American Chemistry Council
June 2010
Distribution Code
Presentation Topics
• Background
– Why a Distribution Code?
– Public concerns addressed by the code.
• Key Focus areas of the Code
• Link to other Codes
• Benefits of implementing the Distribution Code
• Questions and Answers
Distribution Code
Why a Distribution Code?
• Reduce the risk of harm posed by the distribution
(transportation) of chemicals to the general public; to
carriers, distributors, contractors and chemical
industry employees; and to the environment.
• Respond to public concerns about safety of products
in transit.
• Improve “hand-off” processes between producers,
carriers, storage facilities and customers.
• Movement of products = increased risk.
Distribution Code
Public Concerns Addressed
• Reduce risks associated with chemical distribution.
• Strengthen compliance and other training across the
supply chain.
• Process to qualify carriers, warehouses and bulk liquid
storage facilities based on EHS criteria.
• Ensure safe storage, loading and unloading of product;
cleaning of containers/tanks and proper disposal of
wastes.
• Establishment of emergency response programs to
address transportation accidents/incidents.
Distribution Code
Key Elements – Risk Management
• Three elements focus on risk management.
– Regular evaluation of chemical distribution risks:
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Hazards of the materials
Likelihood of accidents/incidents
Potential for human and environmental exposure
Routing
– Implementation of risk reduction measures
– Internal reporting and investigation of distribution
accidents/incidents and preventive measures.
Distribution Code
Key Elements – Compliance Review & Training
• Four elements address compliance review and
training:
– Process to monitor and implement changes to existing
regulations and standards or new regulations.
– Training for employees in the proper implementation of
regulations and company regulations.
– Process for providing guidance and information to carriers,
distributors and contractors who perform distribution
activities.
– Regular review of employee and commercial partner
compliance with regulations and company requirements.
Distribution Code
Key Elements – Carrier Safety
• Two elements address carrier safety:
– Process for qualifying Carriers of all modes and types that
transport chemicals to and from the company that
emphasizes:
• Safety fitness
• Regulatory Compliance
and includes regular reviews of performance and
compliance.
– Process to provide feedback to carriers on their
performance and suggestions for improvement.
Distribution Code
Key Elements – Handling and Storage
• Seven elements address Handling and Storage
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Procedures for selection and use of containers
Procedures for loading chemicals safely at facilities
Procedures for unloading chemicals safely at facilities
Criteria for cleaning and returning tank cars and other
containers and for disposal of residue
– Provide guidance to customers and others on loading and
unloading and storing of product.
– Process for selecting distributors and storage facilities that
handle product in transit.
– Provide feedback to distributors and other facilities that handle
product in transit.
Distribution Code
Key Elements – Emergency Preparedness
• Five elements focus on Emergency Preparedness
– Process for responding to chemical distribution accidents
involving the company’s products.
– Procedures to make information about company products
available to emergency responders along transport routes
– Program to make facilities and training available to
emergency response agencies
– Dialogue with government agencies on the distribution
and hazards of company chemicals
– Dialogue with the public about chemical distribution issues
Distribution Code
Link to Other Codes
Distribution Code
CAER Code
• Dialogue with public
• Dialogue with ER agencies
• Emergency Response plans
Product Stewardship
Process Safety
•Facility Design
Security
• Security of product in transit
• Dialogue with authorities
• Safe transport considerations
• Commercial partner handling
of company products
Distribution Code
Benefits
• Strengthened links between producers and their
transport and storage providers.
• Created common performance expectations across the
supply chain.
• Identified local concerns about transport of chemicals.
• Created links between producers, transporters and
emergency response agencies along transport routes.
• Led to creation of ACC’s Responsible Care Partnership
Program with more than 80 current participants.
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