Responsible Care® Awards 2025 open for entries
As we celebrate two significant milestones this year (20 years of European Responsible Care® Awards excellence and 40 years of Responsible Care®’s inception in Canada), this year’s edition is structured around the core principles of Responsible Care®, with a special category honouring the legacy of Jean Bélanger, the founder of Responsible Care®.
The categories
The 2025 RC Awards will recognise outstanding achievements that exemplify the principles of RC Global Charter, showcasing a commitment to a safer and more sustainable future. Additionally, two dedicated categories will honour National Associations and SMEs, as well as individuals who embody RC values in all aspects of their life. This includes:
- Rethink operational excellence: Corporate leadership culture
- Above and beyond boundaries: Spreading Responsible Care® ethic across chemicals value and supply chains
- Responsible Care® in the artificial intelligence era : Leading the change for sustainable future; cyber security awareness
- Caring about the smaller : National Associations and SMEs
- Living up to Responsible Care® founding father Jean Bélanger’s vision and ethic: Recognising chemical leaders of the future’s engagement to help their communities
Project eligibility: submit new and evolved RC® projects
RC practitioners are invited to submit both new, innovative initiatives as well as past projects – whether previously submitted or not (awarded or not) – to the RC® Awards. Projects that have since evolved, remain relevant today, or have demonstrated significant progress and impact, are also welcome.
Who can participate?
- All companies and /or sites, supply chain in Europe that are practicing Responsible Care®
- National associations and affiliate associations (provided they have signed up to Responsible Care® or have a Responsible Care® Partnership Agreement with Cefic. Specifically, the category 5 honours individuals or teams whose submitted projects are recognised/supported by the Responsible Care® organisations they work for.
Deadline for submission
Submit your entries by 30 June 2025. Download the guidance and the application form.
Description of the categories

Rethink operational excellence
Corporate leadership culture
This category recognises companies that foster a strong corporate culture dedicated to protecting people and the environment.
Nominees will have embedded safety, health, and environmental stewardship into their core values, promoting a workplace where these priorities are integral to everyday operations. Successful companies will demonstrate a proactive approach to risk management and employee training, ensuring a safe and sustainable environment. They will have demonstrated measurable improvements in environmental performance, such as reduced emissions, waste minimisation or water conservation, and taken proactive steps to safeguard the well-being of their workforce.
This award honours organisations that lead by example in cultivating a culture of responsibility and commitment to the well-being of both their people and the planet.
Download the guidance and the application form (deadline for submission 30 June 2025).

Above and beyond boundaries
Spreading Responsible Care® ethic across chemical value and supply chains
This category highlights efforts to promote safe chemical management and sustainability across the entire value chain.
Projects should focus on engaging suppliers, customers, and partners to enhance performance in health, safety, environment, energy, and sustainability. Emphasis is placed on responsible sourcing, value chain collaboration, ensuring that Responsible Care® principles extend beyond organisational boundaries.
Successful initiatives should demonstrate proactive leadership in fostering transparency, knowledge-sharing, and continuous improvement to drive positive impact across the chemical industry.
This category highlights efforts to promote safe chemical management and sustainability across the entire value chain.
Projects should focus on engaging suppliers, customers, and partners to enhance performance in health, safety, environment, energy, and sustainability. Emphasis is placed on responsible sourcing, value chain collaboration, ensuring that Responsible Care® principles extend beyond organisational boundaries.
Successful initiatives should demonstrate proactive leadership in fostering transparency, knowledge-sharing, and continuous improvement to drive positive impact across the chemical industry.
Download the guidance and the application form (deadline for submission 30 June 2025).

Responsible Care® in the artificial intelligence era
Leading the change for sustainable future – cyber security awareness
This category recognises initiatives that promote AI to optimise HSSE performance through predictive analytics, automated monitoring, and real-time hazard detection, fostering a proactive safety culture. Initiatives that promote digital innovation to improve supply chain transparency, efficiency and sustainability.
Successful projects should demonstrate how digital technologies like AI, robotics, and blockchain enhance operational efficiency, optimise safety, and secure critical assets. Projects should focus on enabling the transition to a low carbon economy, enhancing resource efficiency and promoting circular economy principles. Initiatives should also emphasise process safety improvements, such as better communication, staff competencies, and a culture of continuous safety improvement. Cybersecurity efforts should focus on building a security-conscious culture, fostering collaboration, and sharing best practices to strengthen collective defense.
By integrating process safety and cybersecurity into operations, these initiatives drive the industry’s transition toward sustainability and a secure environment.
Download the guidance and the application form (deadline for submission 30 June 2025).

Caring about the smaller
National Associations – SMEs
This category recognises the exceptional contributions of National Associations and SMEs in advancing Responsible Care®.
National Associations drive industry-wide collaboration and best practices sharing, while SMEs lead innovation and integration of Responsible Care® principles at every operational level. The award celebrates their leadership, commitment, and impact on sustainability, safety, and continuous improvement in the chemical industry.
Download the guidance and the application form (deadline for submission 30 June 2025).

Living up to Responsible Care® founding father Jean Bélanger’s vision and ethic
Recognising chemical leaders of the future’s engagement to help their communities
This category celebrates individuals or teams, in organisations, who exemplify the core values of Responsible Care®, inspired by Jean Bélanger’s vision and ethics.
It acknowledges emerging chemical leaders who demonstrate a commitment to not only advancing the chemical industry but also making meaningful contributions to their communities. These leaders are driven by a deep sense of responsibility toward safety, sustainability, and ethical practices, and actively engage in initiatives that positively impact society.
Successful nominees will have shown a clear dedication to community well-being, whether through educational programs, local sustainability efforts, or the promotion of diversity and inclusion within the chemical sector. They will have demonstrated a proactive approach in integrating Responsible Care® principles into both their professional and personal endeavors, fostering a culture of ethical leadership and community engagement.
Download the guidance and the application form (deadline for submission 30 June 2025).