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Choose UL for RC 14001 Expertise

What is RC 14001?

RC 14001 is a technical specification of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) that concentrates on environmental and health and safety management systems. The ACC adapted its long-standing Responsible Care initiative to incorporate all of the requirements included in the ISO 14001 environmental management system standard.

Participation in Responsible Care has long been a condition of membership to the ACC. In addition, automotive initiatives have pushed the chemical industry to consider registration to ISO 14001. RC 14001 is a method for chemical companies to meet both sets of criteria from their customers and from the council.

RC 14001 registration allows companies to:

  • Establish their commitment to environmental and health and safety measures
  • Improve their risk management
  • Improve their management systems
  • Meet ACC requirements

Why UL?

Accredited by ANAB, UL is among the leading U.S. registrars. All UL RC 14001 assessors are highly qualified ISO 14001 auditors with substantial experience in both environmental and health and safety management systems. In addition, all assessors have been successfully trained and qualified for RC 14001 audits by the ACC.

For customers seeking RC 14001 registration, UL offers:

  • Gap assessments-Available in the early stages of program development to help you determine which RC 14001 requirements you already have covered within your existing system.
  • Preliminary evaluations-A practice or mock audit of your site to determine your readiness for registration audit. You will receive a written report including a list of all nonconformities found.
  • Pre-assessment site visits-A requirement that is conducted prior to your registration assessment when no preliminary evaluation has been conducted.
  • Strategic reviews-An evaluation of your system with UL and your consultant to facilitate planning for your registration.
  • Registration assessments-Typically scheduled three to six months after your preliminary evaluation. At the conclusion of the registration assessment, the UL audit team will advise you of its recommendation regarding certification and present the written report before leaving the site.
  • Continuous assessments-Conducted after registration to verify your continued conformance to the RC 14001 technical specification.
  • Integrated audits-May be scheduled in order to take the best possible advantage of synergies between your ISO 9000 and RC 14001 systems. These combined audits typically require fewer audit days than separate systems audits. Additional other standards may be combined in this process as needed, such as OHSAS 18001 for occupational health and safety.

About RC 14001 registration

A successful registration audit to RC 14001 results in a combined RC 14001 and ISO 14001 Certificate. When additional standards are part of the auditing process, separate certificates or an Integrated Management Systems Certificate may be issued.

An RC 14001 audit is a management systems audit, which verifies that you have a management system in place to support your RC 14001 system. While regulatory subjects may be discussed as a part of your systems audit, no judgments are documented regarding your regulatory compliance status.

Contact us

UL's Customer Service professionals are available from 7:00 AM-6:00 PM across all North American time zones to answer any questions about UL's RC 14001 registration audit or any of our other Management Systems Solutions offerings. Call 1-877-ULHELPS (within the U.S.), and you will be connected with someone who will immediately assist you or take your information and have a specialist call you back.

For locations outside North America, you can contact your local UL office for assistance.

You can also e-mail our Customer service directly at cec@us.ul.com or complete our online Contact MSS form.

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