The ResponsibleAg Board of Directors has officially approved the 2026 ResponsibleAg Assessment Checklist — the most comprehensive update since ResponsibleAg launched in 2014.

This new checklist ensures facility assessments reflect the latest Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Transportation requirements, enabling participants to stay confident in compliance and ahead of regulatory changes.

What’s New

• Stronger alignment with regulations: More than 250 questions were revised to match updated requirements.
• Sharper focus on industry needs: Streamlined questions and clarifications improve clarity for auditors and participants.
• Continuous improvement: Some items were removed, reclassified as best management practices, or updated for ease of use.

Behind the Work

Updating the checklist was no small task. The ResponsibleAg Technical Committee (RTC) conducted nine meetings in 2024 and seven in 2025 to review more than 500 audit questions. Their goal: make sure your ResponsibleAg audit remains rigorous, relevant, and practical.

Looking Ahead

Implementation of the new checklist begins in 2026. Now is the perfect time to plan your audit for 2026!

“This comprehensive update ensures ResponsibleAg continues to serve as a trusted roadmap for compliance and operational excellence,” says ResponsibleAg Technical Committee Chair Joshua Bossard, senior director of safety & health, retail for Nutrien Ag Solutions. “The Technical Committee’s thorough review process has resulted in a checklist that’s more aligned with today’s regulatory landscape while being clearer for both auditors and participants.”