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Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT) Security Vulnerability Assessment (SVA) and Site Security Plan (SSP)

UPDATE: Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) temporarily suspended the requirement to submit Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Top-Screens and Security Vulnerability Assessments (SVA) in order to allow for a phased rollout of the new Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT 2.0) surveys and enhanced risk tiering methodology. On October 1, 2016, the requirement to submit Top-Screens and SVAs was reinstated. Chemical facilities of interest that have not previously submitted a Top-Screen, but which have come into possession of reportable amounts of COI, must submit a Top-Screen within 60 days. Additionally, in the coming months, DHS will be reaching out directly to CFATS chemical facilities that have previously submitted Top-Screens to DHS and require that they submit a new Top-Screen using CSAT 2.0. However, facilities may choose to proactively resubmit a Top-Screen prior to receiving the individual notification.

DHS is hosting a number of webinars and in-person demonstrations to showcase the new CSAT 2.0. For more information, see the listing of events on the CFATS Tiering Methodology webpage. To learn more on the CSAT 2.0 updates to the SVA and SSP, please also visit the CSAT SSP Revisions webpage.

Any facility that comes into possession of an Appendix A Chemical of Interest (COI) at or above the applicable Screening Threshold Quantity (STQ) has 60 days to complete and submit a Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT) Top-Screen to the Department.

Following the Department’s review of a facility’s CSAT Top-Screen submission, the facility may be notified in writing that it is considered high-risk and assigned to Tier 1, 2, 3, or 4. All high-risk facilities will be required submit a SVA and SSP through CSAT. DHS has improved the integration between the SVA and SSP surveys and, as a result, has modified the submission schedule. Unless specifically notified by the Department, the facility's SVA and SSP due dates will run in parallel, and both must be submitted within 120 days from the date of written notification. Tier 4 facilities may elect to submit an Alternative Security Program (ASP) in lieu of an SVA. In addition, Tier 1-4 facilities may submit an ASP in lieu of an SSP.

Additional Resources

Last Published Date: October 19, 2016

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