How to receive RC Certification

1. The company informs FCIO of its interest in Responsible Care.
2. FCIO sends the company information material on Responsible Care, the questionnaire for the Responsible Care audit (RC audit), the rules regarding the use of the logo "Responsible Care - certified company", the provisions of CEFIC for collecting data for the performance indicators and additional information on Responsible Care.
3. An FCIO representative makes an appointment for visiting the site for consultation and a pre-audit and either gives the go-ahead for the audit or recommends adjustments. The permission to proceed is given at the earliest when all legal requirements mentioned in the questionnaire are met.
4. Company and auditors make an appointment for the RC audit. The precondition for the audit is that the company meets all relevant legal requirements. The head of the team of auditors makes an audit report (questionnaire with score). The evaluation of the individual questions is made according to a point system. Depending on the degree of compliance, 0 - 3 points are given. Questions which do not apply to a site are not counted in the evaluation. If the company scores 80 % of all possible points (only applicable questions are counted) and all relevant legal requirements are met, the site has passed the RC audit. The precondition is the all relevant legal requirements are met.
5. After the RC audit, the auditors and the company management have a final meeting. The minutes of the meeting are signed by the auditors and the management. The minutes may include deficiencies and a date at which the deficiencies will have to be corrected. The company commits itself to correct the deficiencies by the agreed date.
6. If the audit result is positive, the company receives the Responsible Care certification from FCIO which is valid for three years. Then, the company is allowed to use the logo "Responsible Care" with the addition "Certified Company" while respecting the rules for the use of the logo "Responsible Care - Certified Company".
7. At the latest four months before the certification expires, FCIO writes to the company to remind it that the renewal audit is due. The company undergoes a renewal audit to obtain the permission to use the "Responsible Care" logo for another three years.