Department of Homeland Security to select standards for private sector preparedness.

Press Release Summary:



The Federal Emergency Management Agency of DHS has announced intent to select standards for adoption in 9/11 Commission-recommended program intended to improve preparedness for disasters and emergencies in private sector. Three documents have been identified for prospective adoption in Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program, which will assess whether private sector entity complies with voluntary preparedness standards adopted by DHS.



Original Press Release:



DHS Announces Intent to Select Standards for Adoption in Private Sector Preparedness Program



The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced its intent to select standards for adoption in a 9/11 Commission-recommended program intended to improve preparedness for disasters and emergencies in the private sector. A Federal Register notice requests public comments on the three identified standards, which include two American National Standards (ANS).

The three documents have been identified for prospective adoption in the Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program (PS-Prep). PS-Prep will assess whether a private sector entity complies with voluntary preparedness standards adopted by DHS.

The standards identified for prospective adoption in the DHS program are:

ASIS SPC.1-2009, Organizational Resilience: Security, Preparedness, and Continuity Management Systems - Requirements with Guidance for Use

NFPA 1600, Standard for Disaster/ Emergency Management and Business Continuity
BS25999, Business Continuity Management

ASIS SPC.1-2009 is an ANS developed by ASIS International, a member and accredited standards developer of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This and many other ASIS standards are now available on the ANSI eStandardsStore.

NFPA 1600 is an ANS developed by the National Fire Protection Association, an ANSI member and audited designator. This standard as well as many others by NFPA are also available on the ANSI eStandardsStore.

For more information on the proposed standards and to submit comments, view the Federal Register notice and the DHS press release.

American National Standards

An American National Standard is a document that has been sponsored by an ANSI-accredited standards developer, achieved consensus, met ANSI's Essential Requirements, and been approved by the Institute.

The hallmarks of this process ensure that American National Standards are developed in a manner that is equitable, accessible, and responsive.

For more information, read the ANSI brochure, American National Standards: Value of the ANS Designation.

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