Lawmakers in Both Parties Support CFATS

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates [1] (SOCMA) today reiterated that congressional members in both parties have repeatedly expressed support for the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act Standards [2] (CFATS), which require thousands of chemical facilities nationwide to develop and deploy meaningful security enhancements.

"The comprehensive security standards currently being implemented and enforced under federal regulation have repeatedly been deemed appropriate and sufficient by congressional members in both parties in both chambers over multiple Congresses," said Bill Allmond, Vice President of Government and Public Relations. "Furthermore, Democratic and Republican administrations alike support the existing standards."

More than 2,700 facilities have already reduced their risk profile sufficiently enough that they no longer warrant regulation under the program. Also, the secretary of DHS has the authority to levy significant fines for non-compliance, and can even shut a facility down.

SOCMA's priority is to ensure enactment of a long-term authorization of CFATS absent of drastic programmatic changes. SOCMA members have spent millions of dollars to upgrade security following the attacks of September 11, 2001, and in response to federal regulation.

"There is currently no credible threat to the chemical sector or changes that justify a heavier hand by the federal government," Allmond added. "Such efforts have been considered and rejected by previous Congresses. We fully expect, and also support, Congress and the administration to reauthorize the existing comprehensive security standards."

About SOCMA

SOCMA is the only U.S.-based trade association dedicated solely to the batch, custom and specialty chemical industry. Since 1921, we have represented a diverse membership of small, medium and large chemical companies, making us the leading authority on this sector. SOCMA has a global membership of 220 companies, which employ more than 46,000 workers in the U.S. alone.

Contact:
Christine Sanchez
Senior Manager, PR & Media
(202) 721-4182
sanchezc@socma.com [3]

SOURCE Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates