Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework
Cefic's Responsible Care Management Framework for the European chemical industry: what companies, national associations, Cefic and ICCA each do, the six Global Charter elements turned into management processes with four maturity levels, and the Responsible Care KPI set, mapped to ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 50001, EMAS and RC 14001.
Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework is a compliance framework from Europe (Cefic member associations in almost 30 countries; aligned with the ICCA global programme) with 8 domains and 30 controls that map to 9 other frameworks. The largest domains are Chapter 2: From commitment to action (roles of companies, national associations, Cefic, ICCA; the eight Fundamental Features) – Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework (7 controls), Chapter 3.2.1: A corporate leadership culture (building blocks) – Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework (7 controls), Appendix 1: Responsible Care key performance indicators – Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework (4 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.
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Framework Domains (8)
Appendix 1: Responsible Care key performance indicators – Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::KPI-1 | Company information KPIs |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::KPI-2 | Health and safety at work KPIs |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::KPI-3 | Environmental performance KPIs |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::KPI-4 | Use of resources and transport incident KPIs |
Chapter 2: From commitment to action (roles of companies, national associations, Cefic, ICCA; the eight Fundamental Features) – Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::2.1.1-1 | Companies: formal commitment to Responsible Care |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::2.1.1-2 | Companies: integrate Responsible Care principles into daily activities |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::2.1.1-3 | Companies: monitor performance by annual self-assessment and KPI reporting |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::2.1.1-4 | Companies: share best practices and use the logo correctly |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::2.1.2 | National associations: core elements of the role |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::2.1.2-docs | Reference documents of the initiative (Global Charter, Fundamental Features, ACC codes, European Security Code) |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::2.1.3-4 | Cefic and ICCA: coordination roles |
Chapter 3.2.1: A corporate leadership culture (building blocks) – Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.1-a | Scope and commitment |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.1-b | Compliance |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.1-c | Management structure and board involvement |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.1-d | Ensure improvement: management reviews, internal audits, incident investigation |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.1-e | Resources, training and employee involvement |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.1-f | Document management |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.1-g | Management of change |
Chapter 3.2.2: Safeguarding people and the environment (key management processes) – Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.2-a | Zero-harm ambition across health and safety, process safety, security, distribution and environment |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.2-b | Key management processes per area: commitment, risk assessment, maintenance, equipment control, incident investigation, emergency preparedness, competence |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.2-c | Environmental performance management (maturity example, question 2.34) |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.2-d | Process safety audits and inspections (maturity example, question 2.14) |
Chapter 3.2.3: Strengthening chemicals management systems (product stewardship processes) – Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.3-a | Product stewardship across the life cycle |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.3-b | Management of product hazard information (maturity example, question 3.4) |
Chapter 3.2.4: Influencing business partners – Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.4-a | Influencing business partners: responsible sourcing, value chain collaboration, integrity, labour rights, logistics partners, downstream protection |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.4-b | Responsible sourcing (maturity example, question 4.1) |
Chapter 3.2.5: Engaging stakeholders – Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.5-a | Engaging stakeholders: assessment, dialogue, transparency, community support |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.5-b | Transparency and information disclosure (maturity example, question 5.3) |
Chapter 3.2.6: Contributing to sustainability – Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.6-a | Contributing to sustainability: materiality, SDGs, communication, portfolio, circularity, water, biodiversity, climate and energy, diversity |
| cefic-responsible-care-management-framework::3.2.6-b | Designing products with improved sustainability outcomes (maturity example, question 6.4) |
Your Compliance Coverage
If you comply with Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework, you already cover:
ISO 14001:2015
30%
9 controls mapped
Compare →ESRS (revised 2026)
10%
3 controls mapped
Compare →GHG Protocol
3%
1 controls mapped
Compare →+ 6 more: EU Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard (VSME, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1560) (3%), ISO 26000:2010 (3%)
See all 9 mapped frameworks ↓Maps to 9 other frameworks
Coverage is not the same as your position
This page shows what Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework overlaps with in general. Where your organisation actually stands, against the standard you are going for and the certifications you already hold, is a different question. Same graph and the same recorded refutations, scoped to you rather than to a pair.
The Compliance Position Diagnostic, $5,000 fixed, ten business daysWhat is Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework and who does it apply to?
Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework is a compliance framework from Europe (Cefic member associations in almost 30 countries; aligned with the ICCA global programme) with 8 domains and 30 controls. Cefic's Responsible Care Management Framework for the European chemical industry: what companies, national associations, Cefic and ICCA each do, the six Global Charter elements turned into management processes with four maturity levels, and the Responsible Care KPI set, mapped to ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 50001, EMAS and RC 14001. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
What does Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework actually require?
Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework has 30 controls organised across 8 domains. The largest domains are Chapter 2: From commitment to action (roles of companies, national associations, Cefic, ICCA; the eight Fundamental Features) – Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework (7 controls), Chapter 3.2.1: A corporate leadership culture (building blocks) – Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework (7 controls), Appendix 1: Responsible Care key performance indicators – Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework (4 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
If I already comply with another framework, how much of Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework do I already cover?
Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework maps to 9 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are ISO 14001:2015 (30% coverage), ESRS (revised 2026) (10% coverage), GHG Protocol (3% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.
How do I implement Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework?
Start your Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about Cefic Responsible Care Management Framework requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 30 controls and track your progress.
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