The European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) announced on 15 April 2026 that applications are now open for the 2026 European Responsible Care® Awards, with a deadline of 30 June 2026. The awards, now in their 20th year, recognise outstanding initiatives by chemical companies and national federations across Europe in safe chemicals management and industry best practices. The 2026 edition focuses on driving resilience, with categories covering operational excellence, sustainability, SME engagement, and people-centred transformation.
No prior coverage of this topic was found in EUMatrix's archives, so this announcement marks the first reporting on the 2026 awards cycle. The awards are structured around four key categories: Operational Excellence (including process safety, cybersecurity, digital innovation, and supply chain collaboration), Sustainability & Environment (climate and circularity), Caring about the Smaller (national associations and SMEs), and People-centred Transformation (talent development and STEM attraction). All submitted projects will be showcased in an online gallery and video.
Cefic, the forum for the EU chemical industry, has been running the Responsible Care® Awards for over two decades to promote leadership and excellence in the sector. The initiative aligns with the industry's broader sustainability goals, including climate neutrality and circularity, as outlined in Cefic's IC2050 model and other industry programmes.
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