The American Chemistry Council (ACC), formerly known as the Chemical Manufacturers' Association,[citation needed] is an industry trade association for American chemical companies, based in Arlington County, Virginia.

History

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is in charge of improving the public image of the chemical industry. The trade group represents US Chemical Companies as well as the plastics and chlorine industries, formerly known as the American Plastics Council, the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry and the Chlorine Chemistry Council.

The ACC implemented the Responsible Care program in 1988. At least 52 countries have implemented this initiative. It is managed at a global level by the International Council of Chemical Associations.

Some critics believe that the Responsible Care program is intended to help the industry avoid regulation by imposing its own safety and environmental regulations, and to improve its public image in the wake of the 1984 Bhopal Disaster. Defenders of the Responsible Care standard claim the program has improved safety and that its standards are higher than some OSHA regulations.

The ACC has a political action committee that gives money to members of the Congress of the United States.

The ACC's latest initiative is the $35 million "essential2" public relations campaign. "essential2" attempts to improve the industry's image by emphasizing the importance of chemical industry products — especially plastics — to everyday life, and by using the term "American Chemistry" rather than "chemical industry".

Environmentalists and those concerned about the health effects of chemicals in the environment traditionally oppose the ACC's initiatives. They view campaigns like "essential2" as efforts to distract public attention away from products and practices that they view as harmful and dangerous. Among the most vocal opponents are groups such as Pesticide Action Network North America and The Environmental Working Group.

In April 2008, John Dingell launched an investigation of the American Chemistry Council and several related organizations.[1] Named in the letter were several leaders in the chemical industry, including William F. Carroll, former president of the American Chemical Society.

Sometime in 2008, the ACC launched a campaign[2] to oppose California SB1713 — a bill to ban bisphenol A statewide[3] — including bulk postal mailings in July and August encouraging California citizens to demand opposition of their representing legislators.