Rep. Sabo offered the following resolution

House Resolution No. 107.

A resolution to declare May 24, 2017, as Responsible Chemical Distribution Day in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) has placed the highest priority on the health, safety, and security of employees, communities, and the environment. In December 1991, the member companies of NACD undertook as its most important mission the inception of the Responsible Distribution program; and

Whereas, NACD celebrates over 25-years of improving safety and performance through Responsible Distribution, a verified environmental, health, safety & security program committed to continuous performance improvement in every phase of chemical storage, handling, transportation, and disposal; and

Whereas, Responsible Distribution verification is conducted by an independent, third-party verifier based on the Responsible Distribution Guiding Principles and a Code of Management Practice, and is required of each NACD member and Chemical Handler Affiliate; and

Whereas, Responsible Distribution’s 6th iteration of the Code of Management Practice requires each member company to have an active program designed to continuously improve safety and reduce incidents in 13 separate areas, including: Senior Management Commitment, Compliance Review and Training, Carrier Selection, Handling and Storage, Job Procedures and Training, Waste Management and Conservation Practices, Emergency Response and Public Preparedness, Community Outreach, Product Stewardship, Internal Audits, Corrective and Preventive Action, Document and Records Control, and Security; and

Whereas, In the past 25-years nearly 5,000 key NACD member company personnel have been trained in the principles of Responsible Distribution which has resulted in an 18% decrease in non-vehicular accidents related to storage and handing, and a 64% decrease in vehicular accidents despite a 27% increase in total miles driven to deliver product; and

Whereas, Michigan consumers and businesses are dependent on the safe and efficient distribution of chemical raw materials, intermediates, and final products. Michigan is home to a significant number of NACD member companies located throughout Michigan; and

Whereas, NACD and many of its Michigan member companies work in close cooperation with the Michigan Chemistry Council to provide an effective means for individual companies and organizations engaged in the commerce of chemicals within Michigan to combine talents and resources to build understanding for programs such as Responsible Distribution which foster improved performance and adherence to sound public policies; and 

Whereas, The people of the state of Michigan are fortunate to be served by an institution of the caliber of the National Association of Chemical Distributors and its member companies, which have proven to be a healthy and positive force within the commerce of chemicals; now therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives,  That the members of this legislative body declare May 24, 2017, as Responsible Chemical Distribution Day in the state of Michigan. We commend the National Association of Chemical Distributors and its Michigan members for their over 25-year commitment to Responsible Distribution including community outreach, pollution prevention and ensuring the safety and security of chemical handling and distribution throughout the state of Michigan; and extended best wishes for continued success in the future; and be it further

Resolved, That we applaud the success of voluntary recognition programs like Responsible Distribution for ways to reduce compliance burdens to the State.