Chemical Sector May Face Stricter Security Standards

Chemical security standards expire this October, and the American Chemical Council wants Congress to reauthorize them without significant changes. But according to an article in Chemical & Engineering News, the House Homeland Security Committee has introduced legislation that will make facilities analyze how they can change their internal processes to reduce the potential consequences of a terrorist attack. The Committee’s chairman, Bennie G. Thompson, proposed the legislation and believes it will enhance the existing program.

"This legislation will help ensure that this vital industry and the population that lives around these facilities are safe and secure," he was quoted as saying at the hearing.

While Martin J. Durbin, vice president of federal affairs at ACC says the proposed legislation is an important first step toward establishing permanent chemical security regulations, he expressed a few concerns. One provision, for example, would  give DHS authority to mandate process changes at facilities.

Companies are still implementing rules under the soon-to-expire Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). The industry fears new requirements may disrupt these efforts already underway.

To read the full article, click here:
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/87/i25/8725notw3.html