RESPONSIBLE CARE®

DISTRIBUTION CODE

Daniel RoczniakSenior Director, Responsible Care

American Chemistry CouncilJune 2010

Distribution CodePresentation 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 CodeWhy 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 CodePublic 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 CodeKey Elements – Risk Management

• Three elements focus on risk management.– Regular evaluation of chemical distribution risks:

• 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 CodeKey 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 CodeKey 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 CodeKey Elements – Handling and Storage

• Seven elements address Handling and Storage– 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 CodeKey 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 CodeLink to Other Codes

Distribution Code CAER Code• Dialogue with public• Dialogue with ER agencies• Emergency Response plans

Product Stewardship• Safe transport considerations• Commercial partner handling of company productsSecurity

• Security of product in transit• Dialogue with authorities

Process Safety•Facility Design

Distribution CodeBenefits

• 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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