ACC member companies manufacture products that are critical to the everyday health and well-being of our nation and essential to developing a more sustainable and more competitive economy. Because of our critical role in the nation's economy and our responsibility to our employees and communities, we support clear and effective programs that enhance security throughout the chemical sector.
Policy Background
Within months of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, ACC created a stringent, mandatory security program called the
Responsible Care® Security Code. Since 9/11/2001, ACC members have invested more than $17 billion under the Security Code to further enhance site security, transportation security and cybersecurity at their facilities. The Security Code has become a gold standard for the industry and serves as a model for regulatory programs.
It is not only appropriate but necessary that our efforts are combined with smart government regulatory programs to ensure that everyone throughout the chemical sector is doing their part to protect this important part of our country's critical infrastructure. ACC and our members support a host of federal programs that currently regulate all aspects of chemical security, including the
Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). We have helped lead the charge in Congress to give the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the authority it needs to properly implement CFATS. This stringent program regulates security for a wide variety of facilities that make, store or use chemicals from farms to factories. CFATS allows facilities to tailor their security plans to meet their unique needs while providing DHS with clear authority to fine or shutdown facilities that do not meet the program’s comprehensive security standards.
Policy Position
- To build on the successful efforts already underway to secure chemical facilities, the federal government must provide greater regulatory certainty and clarity for CFATS.
- Regulators should continue to require facilities to meet stringent security standards without interfering with their ability to use chemicals that are necessary to meet the needs of the nation.
- Policymakers should leave decisions regarding chemical substitution in the hands of facility operators who fully understand the ramifications—beyond security—of such complex decisions.