PCMA inks MoU with ACC to become accrediting body in Pakistan

(APP) Pakistan Chemical Manufacturers Association (PCMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American Chemistry Council (ACC) to manage certification of global Responsible Care Programme 'RC 14001' within Pakistan.

The MoU was signed by Chairman Zubair F Tufail and Secretary General of PCMA, Iqbal Kidwai. Whereas, on behalf of the ACC, Debra Phillips, Vice President of its Sustainability and Market Outreach Division signed the MoU.

Secretary General of PCMA, giving details of the MoU informed here

Responsible Care was the global chemical industry’s joint programme for safety of environment and human health, through which the participating national and regional trade associations had agreed to conform to the International Council of Chemical Associations’ (ICCA) Responsible Care Fundamental Features and established timelines for implementation.

He told that PCMA joined the global Responsible Care community in 2017 and since its recognition by ICCA’s Responsible Care Leadership Group, PCMA had been engaged in developing the set elements of its Responsible Care programme, including a certification model.

He said the current MoU is a major breakthrough in this regard, which has provided the PCMA with an opportunity to work in collaboration with ACC for one complete year to initiate an approved RC14001 accreditation process in Pakistan through the nation's apex accreditation body, Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC).

Kidwai said the MoU had knitted the PCMA and ACC into an agreement for expanding RC 14001 certification opportunities for PCMA within the country, whereas this sort of accreditations earlier were being processed in USA.

He said this arrangement will not only improve performance of the local chemical industry in implementation of the Responsible Care Programme, but will also enhance their knowledge on RC14001 through a supporting RC14001 infrastructure to be created in Pakistan to provide the availability of accreditation services, auditor resources and training opportunities, he added.

It could be noted that PCMA is striving hard to help country's chemical producers achieve the goal defined by the UN's Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), which is meant to ensure that by the year 2020, the Chemicals are used and produced by minimizing the significant adverse effect on human health and environment. The ICCA had expressed deep satisfaction over efforts of PCMA for introducing the safety measures in Pakistan in line with ICCA's Charter.