Tata Chemicals is a signatory to Responsible Care, a global initiative that calls on chemical companies to demonstrate their commitment to safety, health and the environment

Responsible Care was first launched in Canada and has since spread across 46 countries. A social responsibility initiative of the global chemicals industry, Responsible Care is built around a set of guiding principles, and six codes of management practice that help in achieving them.

The aim is to ensure that chemical companies act responsibly towards the environment and the public, so that society can enjoy the benefits of chemicals without risk. Companies that are signatories to the initiative have to show continuous improvement in all areas that relate to the safety and health of their employees and the general public.

	To recognise and respond to community concerns about our chemicals and our operations.
	To develop and produce chemicals that can be manufactured, transported, used and disposed of safely.
	To make health, safety and environmental considerations a priority in our planning for all existing and new products and processes.
	To report promptly, to officials, employees, customers and the public, information on chemical-related health or environmental hazards and to recommend protective measures.
	To counsel customers on the safe use, transportation and disposal of chemical products.
	To operate our plants and facilities in a manner that protects the environment and the health and safety of our employees and the public.
	To extend knowledge by conducting or supporting research on the health, safety and environmental effects of our products, processes and waste materials.
	To work with others to resolve problems created by past handling and disposal of hazardous substances.
	To participate, with the government and others, in creating responsible laws, regulations and standards to safeguard the community, workplace and environment.
	To promote the principles and practices of Responsible Care by sharing experiences and offering assistance to others who produce, handle, use, transport or dispose of chemicals.

The codes of management practices
The six codes that govern management practices are designed to help companies achieve the goals set by the guiding principles in a phased manner. The six codes, in order of their adoption, as conceived by the ICMA, are:

	Process safety code
	Employee health and safety code
	Pollution prevention code
	Emergency response code
	Distribution code
	Product stewardship code

The Responsible Care initiative will further strengthen TCL's safety, health and environment (SHE) systems and help it achieve excellence in SHE, even as it tries to maximise returns to all stakeholders.