The concept of responsible care in the chemical industry was first introduced by the Canadian Chemical Producers in 1986. In the US, the Chemical Manufacturers Assn. (CMA) followed in 1988, launching a Responsible Care program to respond to public concerns about the manufacture and use of chemicals.

Like its Canadian counterpart, the US Responsible Care program contained a set of guiding principles and made participation an obligation of CMA membership. In 1992, the International Council of Chemical Assns. adopted Responsible Care and the initiative spread to 45 countries on six continents, representing 85% of the world's chemical production. Today the initiative has 91 partner companies and associations woven throughout chemical-related industries. [The Chemical Manufacturers Assn. became the American Chemistry Council (ACC) on June 8, 2000.]