The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) law expires shortly. In response, Kathryn Clay, President of the International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA), has written to members of the U.S. House of Representatives seeking its reauthorisation. 

In the letter Clay asked representatives to urge the Speaker of the House to bring the three-year reauthorisation of CFATS to the floor before its expiry on 23 July, 2020. The reauthorisation was recently passed by the U.S. Senate, but must be passed by both chambers.

Clay wrote in the letter that CFATS plays a critical role in maintaining U.S. security. She said it is therefore vital to reauthorise CFATS before its expiry.

CFATS sets a consistent standard for all high-risk chemical facilities to ensure the security of chemicals that have the potential to be exploited by terrorists. It is administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Site operators, including ILTA members, enjoy a close, cooperative relationship with CISA to ensure standards are maintained.

Clay said: “Long-term reauthorisation of CFATS is necessary to provide regulatory stability and certainty so that companies operating critical chemical storage and production facilities can continue to make sound financial decisions and capital investments to better secure hazardous chemicals.”

For more information visit www.ilta.org 

17th July 2020