RBA Launches Chemical Management Leadership Program for Global Supply Chains

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 25, 2024 /3BL/ - The Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) today announced the launch of its Chemical Management Leadership Program, a risk-based, voluntary commitment program to advance responsible chemical management in global electronics supply chains.

The RBA and its member companies strive to drive the adoption of leading standards in responsible chemical management throughout the electronics production value chain to protect workers’ health and safety. The RBA’s goal to advance sustainability globally is grounded in its Code of Conduct, which includes occupational health and safety provisions that require worker exposures to chemical, biological, and physical agents to be appropriately identified, evaluated, and controlled in accordance with a hierarchy of controls.

Standards on supply chain due diligence and materials restrictions are relatively fragmented in the electronics production sector, accentuating the benefits of an industry-wide collaboration to accelerate progress. In collaboration with its member companies, the RBA developed the Chemical Management Leadership Program (CMLP) to harmonize chemical management due diligence efforts and support industry leaders in demonstrating continuous improvement through increased transparency and collective action.

This program is inspired and enabled by industry collaboration among RBA members and their suppliers, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders. The program seeks to advance progress on the sound management of chemicals toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The CMLP was designed to align with the internationally recognized approach to responsible business conduct articulated in the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. Based on these guidelines, the program was designed to enable industry collective action that is risk-based and strives for continuous improvement. It is supported by the RBA’s Code of Conduct and Specialty Validated Assessment Program (SVAP) on Chemical Management, in addition to other resources.

“The RBA encourages all companies to adopt a risk-based approach to chemical management due diligence,” said Rob Lederer, CEO of the Responsible Business Alliance. “The RBA Chemical Management Leadership Program will facilitate best practices and further protect workers throughout global electronics supply chains.”

The objectives of the CMLP are to:

• Enable collective action and responsible transparency on chemical management risks in the electronics supply chain through an inclusive, efficient, and scalable leadership program
• Harmonize industry efforts on risk-based chemical management due diligence practices
• Support the adoption, implementation, and continual improvement of more sustainable chemistry and occupational health and safety management practices in the electronics production sector
• Facilitate meaningful stakeholder dialogue to advance worker engagement, align industry on sustainability targets, and support development of safer alternative chemical formulations

RBA member companies can learn more about participation in the RBA’s Chemical Management Leadership Program by contacting environment@responsiblebusiness.org.

About the Responsible Business Alliance 
The Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) is a mission-driven organization comprised of leading companies dedicated to responsible business conduct in their global supply chains. The RBA has a Code of Conduct and a range of programs, training and assessment tools to support continuous improvement. The organization has a global footprint, with offices in North America, Europe and Asia. The RBA and its Responsible Minerals, Labor and Factory Initiatives have more than 500 members with combined annual revenues of greater than $7.7 trillion, directly employing over 21.5 million people, with products manufactured in more than 120 countries. For more information, visit ResponsibleBusiness.org.

Media Contact 
Jarrett Bens, Senior Director of Communications 
Responsible Business Alliance 
Phone: +1 571.858.5721 
jbens@responsiblebusiness.org