American Chemistry Council Names Bayer Responsible Care® Company of the Year

PITTSBURGH, June 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer Corporation announced today it had been named a 2014 Responsible Care® Company of the Year by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) in recognition of its commitment to continual improvement in environmental, health, safety and security performance.

ACC's top honor is awarded to member companies that have enhanced and embraced the Responsible Care ethic throughout their organizations. Each year, the ACC names Responsible Care Company of the Year recipients in the small, medium and large company categories. Bayer is a 2014 large company recipient. 

"The American Chemistry Council is pleased to recognize Bayer Corporation with its highest honor – the Responsible Care Company of the Year Award," said ACC President and CEO Cal Dooley. "Through its leadership and commitment to superior environmental performance and the health and safety of its workers and the community as a whole, Bayer Corporation is leading our industry in building a safer, more sustainable future."

"The Responsible Care program embodies the principles of doing the right things when it comes to the business of chemistry," said Jerry MacCleary, president, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, and ACC Board Member. "Bayer has always strived to meet these high standards and, internally, we believe that we do. Receiving the Responsible Care Company of the Year Award from the ACC validates that internal perception.  It is with great pride that we accept this honor."

To be eligible for the Responsible Care Company of the Year award, companies must show exemplary achievement in meeting specific Responsible Care performance criteria, including: a safety performance rating in the top 10 percent of companies in their size category, with no significant process incidents in the previous year; positive trends in performance measures related to transportation safety, process safety and specified emissions; and demonstrated ongoing excellence in safety, health, environment, product stewardship, security, distribution safety, emergency preparedness and community outreach.

Bayer has been involved with Responsible Care since the program's inception more than 25 years ago. It is an integral part of its Sustainable Development program. Some of the company's key accomplishments during the past year include:

• Bayer North America's overarching initiative started in 2013 is called "DRIVE TOWARD ZERO."  It encompasses overarching goals related to improving compliance, process and product safety, sustainability, environmental, and safety culture. "DRIVE TOWARD ZERO" sets the tone for everything Bayer does in environmental, health, safety and security and, therefore, Responsible Care. 
• North American Bayer Bee Care Center in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina – The Center brings together important technological, scientific and academic resources to deal with bee health issues . It serves as a platform for dialogue with stakeholders who share our interest in promoting bee health.
• Bayer applies not just economic standards, but also environmental, social and corporate governance standards in choosing new suppliers or continuing its relationships with existing ones. These standards are defined in Bayer's Supplier Code of Conduct, which generally guides our collaboration with suppliers. The Supplier Code of Conduct is based on the principles of the U.N. Global Compact and its Human Rights Position.

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About Bayer Corporation
Bayer Corporation is a subsidiary of Bayer AG, a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, agriculture and high-tech materials. As an inventor company, Bayer sets trends in research-intensive areas. Bayer products and services are designed to benefit people and improve the quality of life. At the same time, Bayer aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and acts as a socially and ethically responsible corporate citizen. In fiscal 2013, Bayer employed 113,200 people at year-end and had sales of €40.2 billion. In North America, Bayer had 2013 net sales of €9,680 million ($12,874 million) and employed 15,200 at year-end. For more information, go to www.bayerus.com.  

About the American Chemistry Council and Responsible Care
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. To learn more about Responsible Care, please visit http://responsiblecare.americanchemistry.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

SOURCE Bayer Corporation