DHS Regulations ensure chemical facility security.
Press Release Summary:
Department of Homeland Security is authorized to enforce national risk-based performance standards to ensure that chemical facilities assess security vulnerabilities and implement security plans to address them. DHS also has authority to inspect facilities and apply strong penalties, including facility shutdowns, for those that fail to act. In anticipation of requirements, ACC has planned workshop where DHS will brief members on regulatory obligations.
Original Press Release:
New DHS Regulations Represent a Major Step Forward for Chemical Security
ARLINGTON, VA (April 2, 2007) - Today, the Department of Homeland Security issued final rules regarding chemical facility security. The American Chemistry Council issued the following statement:
"The nation is safer today, thanks to landmark federal regulations that will drive enhanced security protections for America's chemical industry. This rule is the culmination of years of hard work by members of Congress, the Department of Homeland Security and industry leaders working cooperatively to improve national security.
"For the first time, a federal agency is authorized to enforce national risk-based performance standards to ensure that chemical facilities assess security vulnerabilities and implement security plans to address them. Equally important, DHS has clear authority to inspect these facilities and apply strong penalties, including facility shutdowns, for those that fail to act.
"These new regulations will complement existing state programs and the significant security enhancements already undertaken voluntarily by our members to protect the chemical industry and the nation. In addition to leading the charge for comprehensive federal chemical facility security legislation after 9/11, our members have already invested over $3.5 billion upgrading security as part of the ACC's Responsible Care® Security Code.
"In anticipation of the new requirements, ACC has already planned a workshop later this month where DHS will brief our members on their regulatory obligations so that we can hit the ground running when the rule becomes effective in June."
Contact: Scott Jensen (703) 741-5834
Email: scott_jensen@americanchemistry.com
