USM, PENANG, 17 December 2025 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) received the Responsible Care Management System (RCMS) certification in recognition of its successful completion of the RCMS Implementation Programme for Institutions of Higher Learning, marking a significant milestone in strengthening health, safety, environment and security governance across its academic and research operations.

The certification was formally presented to USM by the Deputy Chairman of the Chemical Industries Council of Malaysia (CICM), Mr. Paul R. Ellis, and received by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Development Affairs and Alumni, Professor Dr. Wan Ahmad Jaafar Wan Yahaya, representing the Vice-Chancellor, during a ceremony held at the Institute of Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM) on the main campus.

USM’s achievement reflects a structured institutional journey that began with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with CICM in August 2024, followed by guided implementation and assessment of Responsible Care principles across selected university sites.

Four USM entities participated in the programme, namely the School of Chemical Engineering, the School of Chemical Sciences, INFORMM main campus and INFORMM Health Campus, with each site meeting the certification requirements by October 2025.

The implementation focused on four Responsible Care Codes of Management Practices, covering employee health and safety, environmental protection, community awareness and emergency response, as well as process safety specific to chemical engineering activities.

In his address, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor highlighted USM’s institutional commitment to embedding Responsible Care principles across campus operations, describing the RCMS certification as a structured outcome of sustained governance, cross-centre collaboration and long-term prioritisation of safety, health, security and environmental stewardship.

“USM is proud to be the first institution of higher learning in Malaysia to join the Chemical Industries Council of Malaysia and participate in the Responsible Care programme, as this voluntary global initiative strengthens excellence in safety, health, security and environmental practices across our operations, research activities and community engagement,” said Wan Jaafar.

Through this certification, USM becomes the first institution of higher learning in Malaysia to formally pledge its commitment to the Responsible Care initiative, reinforcing its role as a national reference point for responsible chemical management within academia.

The RCMS programme for higher education institutions was introduced to broaden awareness and adoption of Responsible Care principles beyond industry, with support from the Social Security Organisation and the International Council of Chemical Associations.

Responsible Care, a voluntary global initiative established in 1984, promotes continuous improvement in safe chemicals management and excellence in health, safety, environment and security performance across the chemical value chain.

The conferment of RCMS certification highlight USM’s sustained commitment to aligning academic practices with internationally recognised safety and environmental standards while advancing responsible research and education.

The ceremony was attended by key officers from USM and CICM, industry leaders, regulatory authorities and chemical safety governance representatives, reflecting strong cross-sector confidence in USM’s achievement in responsible chemical management.

Text: Shafinaz Md Ismail/Photos: Muhamad Faris Darwisy Mohammad Rafiq