First in Middle East to get Responsible Care certification

EQUATE obtains RC 14001:2015 certification from DNV

KUWAIT: EQUATE Petrochemical Company, a global producer of petrochemicals, is the first company in the Middle East in the petrochemical sector to obtain the new Responsible Care (RC) 14001:2015 certification from DNV GL. The certification is aimed at supporting the company's sustainability efforts in Environment, and Health & Safety (EH&S).

RC is an international voluntary initiative of the global chemical industry to address EH&S at all relevant levels for the safe production and handling of chemicals throughout their life cycle, while promoting their role in improving quality of life and contributing to sustainable development. DNV GL a well-reputed organization that assesses companies to advance and improve their EH&S systems for overall sustainability in every relevant field.

EQUATE has embarked on the RC 14001:2015 certification as it sets a clear framework to additionally progress its EH&S management systems, with continuous development as part of the company's DNA. It also provides a tool for environmental performance assessment and identifying improvements. This highlights EQUATE's continuous strategic strive to act as a global citizen through responsibly working in and with the environment in the daily and long-term business operations.  In 2011, EQUATE was officially certified as an RC company and became Kuwait's first organization to obtain the RC 14001 accreditation and certification. In 2014, EQUATE was re-certified successfully and received re-confirmation from global experts to maintain the RC certificate. Finally, in 2017, EQUATE became the first petrochemical company in the Middle East to obtain the new RC 14001:2015 certification from DNV GL.

Commenting on this achievement, EQUATE's President and CEO, Mohammad Husain said, "We are very proud to receive the RC 14001:2015 certification as it is a testimony to the hard work we are exerting to being compliant with a universal environmental standards in all our business operations. As a signatory to the RC Global Charter, EQUATE will actively support the initiative through all possible means. EQUATE will always seek innovative ways to develop best practices at all levels in the company."

Husain added, "As a leading industrial organization with operations in three continents, EQUATE dedicates its utmost commitment and care to overall sustainability wherever it operates. Our focus on sustainability has made EQUATE an inspiring role model within and outside Kuwait. This certification fortifies our four core corporate values which are trust, sustainability, reliability and innovation as we continue to improve our EH&S systems."

In compliance with the requirements of RC, as well as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, EQUATE maintains the highest standards of environmental, health, and safety practices in its operations. Safety for employees, suppliers, customers, and the community always comes first.

RC is the global chemical industry's unifying commitment to the safe management of chemicals throughout their life cycle, while promoting their role in improving quality of life and contributing to sustainable development.

The EQUATE Group is a global producer of petrochemicals that creates a better world. The Group combines EQUATE Petrochemical Company (EQUATE), its subsidiaries and The Kuwait Olefins Company (TKOC). The EQUATE Group is the world's second largest producer of Ethylene Glycol (EG) with industrial complexes in Kuwait, North America and Europe that produce Ethylene, EG, Polyethylene (PE) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). The products are marketed throughout Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. As a leading global enterprise, the EQUATE Group strongly pursues sustainability principles and best practices wherever it operates through partnerships with various stakeholders including employees and customers as well as societies as a whole in fields that includes human development, environment, education, health and public awareness. The EQUATE Group's shareholders include Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), Boubyan Petrochemical Company (BPC) and Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company (QPIC). The Group provides reliable services and solutions that enables global customers and stakeholders to grow and attain the success they seek by being "Partners in Success." www.equate.com

Driven by our purpose of safeguarding life, property and the environment, DNV GL enables organizations to advance the safety and sustainability of their business. We provide classification, technical assurance, software and independent expert advisory services to the maritime, oil & gas and energy industries. We also provide certification services to customers across a wide range of industries. Combining leading technical and operational expertise, risk methodology and in-depth industry knowledge, we empower our customers' decisions and actions with trust and confidence. We continuously invest in research and collaborative innovation to provide customers and society with operational and technological foresight. Operating in more than 100 countries, our professionals are dedicated to helping customers make the world safer, smarter and greener. www.dnvgl.com