Responsible care is the largest voluntary programme for the industry in the world. It was launched in 1985 in Canada and has extended its foothold to almost all industrialized countries, for example the United States, Japan, Australia and most European countries. Today the programme is running in 52 countries and covers the majority of production in the chemical industry.

Globally the Responsible Care programme is coordinated by ICCA, International Council of Chemical Associations. The internationally set general principles act as global guidelines for the Responsible Care programme. Regional and national approaches are based on that.

In Europe CEFIC (European Chemical Industry Council) guides the programme. The European approach of Responsible Care complies with the general international principles but takes into account also regional demands and conditions. In Europe the Responsible Care programme is in operation in 21 countries already.

In Finland the programme was launched in 1992 under the name ‘Vastuu Huomisesta’. Currently the national programme covers over 80% of the entire production in the Finnish chemical industry. Over 60% of the personnel in the chemical industry work for companies participating in the programme. The Chemical Industry Federation is responsible for coordinating the programme in Finland. Here, too, the substance of the programme is modified to fit the national operational environment.