Sinopec Zhenhai Refining and Chemical Company in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, has become the first Chinese petrochemical company to achieve Level 8 under the International Sustainability Rating System (ISRS), positioning itself among the global leaders in safety management.

The ISRS, widely adopted by major international oil and petrochemical companies, evaluates safety and sustainability performance across 10 key areas, including occupational health, process safety, environment, security, quality, energy, asset integrity, knowledge, and social responsibility. Level 8 represents the highest practical standard attainable worldwide, marking a significant milestone in the global petrochemical sector.

The assessment was conducted by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), a leading international certification and risk management organization. Using the ISRS Edition 9 framework, the evaluation covered 15 programs and 129 sub-processes, examining areas such as workplace safety, equipment integrity, and the effectiveness of integrated management systems. The results confirmed that Zhenhai Refining and Chemical has reached the top tier of international safety standards.

The company has a decade-long history of ISRS benchmarking. Its first ISRS assessment in 2014 placed the company at Level 5. Since 2016, the company has undertaken three continuous improvement cycles, steadily advancing from Level 5 to 6, then 7, and finally achieving Level 8. This accomplishment reflects its long-term commitment to safety, systematic management, and continuous performance improvement, demonstrating that Chinese petrochemical enterprises can meet the highest global standards.

Zhenhai Refining and Chemical Company hosts an annual Top Operator Competition. [Photo provided to Tide News]