For over 20 years, the European Responsible Care® Awards have recognised outstanding initiatives by chemical companies and federations across Europe, highlighting their leadership and excellence in safe chemicals management and industry best practices.
The 2026 edition will be structured around Responsible Care®’s focus on driving resilience, highlighting projects and initiatives that exemplify safety excellence, digital innovation, climate action, circularity, and an empowered workforce.
The Responsible Care® Awards 2026 will distinguish outstanding achievements across four key categories:
Category 1 – Operational Excellence
- Process Safety and Cybersecurity Award
- Digital Innovation for Responsible Operations Award
- Responsible Supply Chain & Collaboration Award
Category 2 – Sustainability & Environment
- Sustainability: Climate and Circularity Award
Category 3 – Caring about the Smaller: National associations – SMEs
- National association and SME Award
Category 4 – People-centred Transformation
- Excellence in Talent and Workforce Development and STEM Attraction Award
Project eligibility: submit new and evolved RC® projects
Responsible Care® practitioners are invited to submit both new, innovative initiatives as well as past projects – whether previously submitted or not (awarded or not) – to the RC® Awards. Projects that have since evolved, remain relevant today, or have demonstrated significant progress and impact, are also welcome.
Who can participate?
- All companies and /or sites that are practicing Responsible Care® along the supply chain in Europe.
- National associations and affiliate associations are also eligible to participate provided they have signed up to Responsible Care® or have a Responsible Care® Partnership Agreement with Cefic. Specifically the category 4 honours individuals or teams whose submitted projects are recognised/supported by the Responsible Care® organisations they work for.
You may view the Guidance Document here and after having examined it, you may send your submission via the Application Form provided here.
We invite all Responsible Care® participants, to share their projects and initiatives, by 30 June 2026. All relevant projects with be showcased in a dedicated online gallery and social media platforms of Cefic.