To prevent a terrorist attack on American soil, the federal government works in partnership with all components of our nation’s infrastructure, from airlines to banks to power grids—including the facilities that make, use and distribute America’s essential chemical products.
Because of its critical role to the economy, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified the business of chemistry as a vital asset to the nation. Chemical makers help create essential and often lifesaving products that Americans rely on every day, from body armor for our soldiers to medicines to automobile air bags. These manufacturing companies employ over 800,000 people in one of our nation’s largest exporting sectors and indirectly contribute nearly seven million jobs to our economy.
911 Response
Within months of the September 11th attacks, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) instituted a stringent, mandatory security program called the Responsible Care® Security Code. Through this program, ACC and its members work closely with their commercial and regulatory partners to enhance site, cyber and transportation security. Over the past decade, ACC members have invested more than $14 billion under the Security Code to enhance security at their facilities; the Security Code has become a gold standard for the industry and served as a model for regulatory programs.
A Partnership to Protect
Beyond the Security Code, ACC and its members are also strong advocates for regulatory programs put in place by the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S Coast Guard and other government agencies, which set a high bar for chemical security. Regulatory programs like the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) that 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.
This comprehensive approach to security—industry action coupled with strong government oversight—helps protect the American men and women who make chemicals, the communities that are home to these facilities and the nation that demands these essential products.
Policies to Promote Chemical Security
ACC and our members will continue to invest resources and support regulatory program that will further enhance our security. Congress has an opportunity to keep the momentum on chemical security moving forward by providing regulatory certainty and passing a long-term extension of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards.
Learn more about policies that can help American chemistry continue innovating, creating jobs and enhancing safety.
