NACD urges caution on chemical security legislation.
February 20, 2008 -
Part of House Homeland Security Committee, Transportation and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee approved by voice vote a committee print of Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act, to extend and modify authority of Department of Homeland Security to regulate security practices at chemical facilities. NACD urges House Homeland Security Committee and Congress to give CFATS more time to be fully implemented and tested before making changes to this important program.
NACD Urges Caution on Chemical Security Legislation
Yesterday afternoon, the Transportation and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee approved by voice vote a committee print of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act, to extend and modify the authority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to regulate security practices at chemical facilities. Following this session, NACD President Christopher L. Jahn issued the following statement:
"NACD is concerned that Congress is prematurely considering changes to the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). Just two days ago was the deadline under CFATS for any facility that possesses a chemical of interest that meets or exceeds a screening threshold quantity to submit the "Top Screen" consequence assessment questionnaire to determine whether that facility is high risk and must take the next steps of completing a Security Vulnerability Assessment and developing a Site Security Plan. Yesterday, one day after this deadline, a congressional subcommittee approved a bill to make significant changes to CFATS.
"CFATS is a major new chemical security regulation required by Congress as part of the 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations Act. This brand new program, which just took effect last June, establishes stringent security requirements that will require significant capital investments by covered facilities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has developed the regulations as quickly as possible, but implementation is still only in the early stages with the first compliance deadline just two days ago. NACD urges the House Homeland Security Committee and Congress to give CFATS more time to be fully implemented and tested before making changes to this important program."
NACD was the first chemical trade association to approve new security measures, as part of its management program, the Responsible Distribution ProcessSM(RDP), and has developed a security vulnerability assessment that specifically addresses security issues relevant to chemical distribution facilities. NACD members have invested millions of dollars and substantial resources to safeguard their facilities and the transportation of their products.
* * *NACD and its more than 250 members have established themselves as leaders in health, safety, security, and environmental performance through implementation of the Responsible Distribution Process (RDP), established in 1991 as a condition of membership in NACD. Incorporated as a condition of membership in January 1999, NACD members undergo third-party on-site RDPV - RDP Verification. For additional information, visit NACD's Web site - http://www.nacd.com.
Contact: Kathee E. Baker 703/527-6223 kbaker@nacd.com
Contacts:
General Information:
Kathee E. Baker
USA
Phone: 703-527-6223 E-mail this person
Company Information: Name: The National Association of Chemical Distributors Address: 1560 Wilson Boulevard City: Arlington State: VA ZIP: 22209 Country: USA Phone: 703-527-6223 http://www.nacd.com
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