Environment, Self‐Regulation, and the Chemical Industry: Assessing Responsible Care*

This study examines the role of self‐regulation as a strategy for environment protection. In particular it explores the chemical industry's Responsible Care Program. Responsible Care is afar‐reaching and sophisticated self‐regulatory scheme intended to reduce chemical accidents and pollution, to build industry credibility through improved performance and increased communication, and to involve the community in decision making. The study identifies the collective action problems and other weaknesses of Responsible Care and argues that a more effective approach to environmental regulation of the chemical industry would be tripartite, involving co‐regulation and a range of third party oversight mechanisms.