In April, ACD members gathered in Ohio for a special one-day regional Responsible Distribution Spring Workshop to learn about the progress being made with RD23 and some of the common non-conformances seen over the first two years of the program.
This year, we decided on a change from our usual format to relocate these always popular Workshops to member-dense areas to make it even easier and more convenient for you to join us. The Responsible Distribution Workshops bring industry experts together to deliver content-rich presentations to help our members provide the very highest environmental, health, safety, security, and sustainability standards within the chemical industry.
With Internal Audits often cited as an area where some ACD members struggle during the verification process, this important topic was center stage during an informative and interactive presentation from Responsible Distribution Adviser Pete Downing, President of Environment & Safety Solutions (ESS), who broke down the fundamentals and requirements of Code X: Internal Audits and offered essential tips and guidance to ensure you remain compliant.
During the session, Downing went back to basics and explored the purpose and importance of audits, offering helpful hints on how to carry them out successfully, before switching gears and taking the different perspective of how best to prepare and respond if you’re the one being audited. Attendees then participated in an exercise where groups of three – representing an auditor, auditee, and an observer – put what had been learned into practice.
“As the ‘new’ RD 2023 has begun to mature, it’s even more important that member companies conduct good internal audits to ensure that they have aligned their Responsible Distribution programs with the new standard, as well as addressed items associated with sustainability,” says Downing.
“This workshop allowed the participants to first discuss best practices in auditing and then conduct a facsimile audit exercise. Members were engaged in what turned out to be a fun activity,” he adds. “I believe that the presentation and exercise will allow companies to continue to improve their internal audit programs, one of the most cited non-conformances during Responsible Distribution verifications.”
A key benefit of relocating our workshops to areas with high concentrations of our member companies has meant we’re able to tailor our programming with topics specific to their needs and interests. We were delighted to welcome Jennifer Klein, President of the Ohio Chemistry Technology Council (OCTC), who talked about issues particularly pertinent to members in the state.
Klein provided a detailed overview of the OCTC’s efforts to support local businesses and ACD members, and outlined the important work its Safety and Sustainability Committee is doing to drive continuous improvement in the chemical supply chain. She also highlighted the many resources provided by OCTC, its advocacy and educational efforts, and how OCTC members and the Alliance are working more closely together.
“I was honored to join the ACD Responsible Distribution™ Workshop, which brought together the experts responsible for implementing and advancing these critical programs around a shared commitment to chemical safety and stewardship,” says Klein.
“OCTC’s partnership with ACD strengthens our collective efforts to ensure that products are transported, stored, and handled responsibly across the supply chain. By working together, we’re not only protecting people and communities, but we are also supporting continued economic growth for Ohio and the broader chemical industry.”
A full program also included a thorough review of the RD23 program from the ASK Distribution Consulting, LLC team and an assessment of the latest non-conformance data and findings.
This was followed by a government affairs update from ACD President and CEO, Eric R. Byer, with a deep dive into the policy issues affecting the industry, including tariffs, the Superfund Tax, chemical security, risk management, and more.
Joseph Bianchini of PVS Chemicals, Inc., later focused on Code III and managing private fleets and trucking, offering advice and guidance on tractor, trailer, and tanker safety; driver retention; and delivery paperwork.
Missed the event? You can access the presentations by visiting our website. Keep checking back for updates to see whether we’re bringing a Spring Workshop to your neighborhood next year!
The 2025 Pre-Conference Responsible Distribution Workshop is being held at ChemEdge on Tuesday, August 12. Click here to view the agenda and here to register.
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