American Chemistry Council

The American Chemistry Council (ACC), formerly known as the Chemical Manufacturers' Association, is an industry trade association for American chemical companies.

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 American Plastics Council and the Chlorine Chemistry Council.

The ACC implemented the Responsible Care program in 1988. Currently 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 India. 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 "business of chemistry" rather than "chemical industry". Some think this is related with the more positive connotation's associated with the first phrase.

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.