Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards: Facility Inspections

On April 9, 2007, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). Congress authorized this interim final rule (IFR) under Section 550 of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007, directing the Department to identify, assess, and ensure effective security at high-risk chemical facilities.

To that end, the Department will require these facilities to conduct a security vulnerability assessment (SVA) and then develop and implement a Site Security Plan (SSP) plan implementing security measures that meet the Risk Based Performance Standards (RBPS) that the Department identified in the IFR.

Facilities that the Department designates as high risk must develop a SSP for the Department to review and approve. A SSP will describe security measures (both physical and procedural) already in place, as well as those that the facility plans to implement, in order to comply with this rule. The Department of Homeland Security will consult or visit with facilities to ensure that the security measures described in a SSP will address the security vulnerabilities identified in the SVA as well as meet the applicable RBPS. The Department will later conduct an inspection to verify that the facility is successfully implementing the approved SSP.

The Department will inspect high-risk chemical facilities at regular intervals with higher-tier facilities being inspected first and more frequently. The Department may also inspect a facility at any time based on new information or security concerns. The Department will provide facilities with a minimum of 24 hours advance notice for compliance inspections unless specific security concerns or exigent circumstances demand immediate attention.

Departmental inspectors trained in CFATS have completed a rigorous training program, incorporating both classroom and on-site facility instruction by experts in the business and science of chemistry, emergency response, terrorism, and industrial security.

The Department of Homeland Security is committed to meeting the letter and spirit of CFATS to enhance and ensure the security of the Nation's chemical industry, a vital component of the Nation's critical infrastructure. Inspections of high-risk chemical facilities will help the Department measure compliance and promote overall security.

For more information on CFATS, please refer to the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards.