DHS 6 CFR Part 27 Fact Sheet

Department of Homeland Security Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standard

Fact Sheet

DHS Final Rule for Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards - 6 CFR Part 27 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a Final Rule for Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, promulgated at 6 CFR Part 27. The regulation requires any facility that manufactured, used, stored, or distributed chemicals listed in the “Appendix A to Part 27 - DHS Chemicals of Interest” at or above the screening threshold quantity (STQ) must complete and submit an Internet based "Top-Screen" analysis using the DHS Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT). DHS estimates approximately 40,000 facilities will have to complete this initial Top-Screen user registration. Top-Screens are due within 60 calendar days of the effective date of the final "Appendix A to part 27 - DHS Chemicals of Interest" or within 60 calendar days of coming into possession of any such Chemical of Interest at or above the STQ. This regulation is effective June 8, 2007, except for Appendix A, which was published November 20th, 2007.

Once DHS reviews a facility’s Top-Screen, the facility will be categorized into one of four tiers by DHS and will notified by DHS if it must evaluate the 19 elements of vulnerability and complete a Security Vulnerability Assessment (SVA) or if the facility can develop an Alternative Security Program (ASP). The DHS will oversee the facility’s development of acceptable layering of measures used to meet the standards of the risk-based tier assigned to the facility. The facility will need to develop appropriate countermeasures and policies to meet DHS risk standards and complete a Site Security Plan (SSP). DHS will assign an agent to work with each facility to develop a schedule to implement site specific measures.

DHS Deadline

Since Top-Screens are due within 60 calendar days of the effective date of the final "Appendix A to part 27 - DHS Chemicals of Interest" which was published November 20th, 2007. This makes the deadline to complete a CSAT Top-Screen January 22th, 2008 or within 60 calendar days of coming into possession of any such Chemical of Interest at or above the STQ.

Penalties

Failure to complete a CSAT Top-Screen within the timeframe provided may result in civil penalties of $25,000 per day, a Department of Homeland Security audit and inspection, or an order to cease operations.

Weblinks

The following are Weblinks related to the DHS Final Rule for Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards - 6 CFR Part 27

Final Rule (PDF, 41 pages)

Appendix A – DHS Chemicals of Interest (PDF, 14 pages)

Fact Sheet: Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards: Appendix A (HTML – DHS Website)

Frequently Asked Questions: Appendix A, Chemicals of Interest List (HTML – DHS Website)

Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards: Chemical Security Assessment Tool (HTML – DHS Website)

CSAT User Registration User Guide (PDF, 45 pages - 903 KB)

CSAT User Change Request Guide (PDF, 26 pages - 686 KB)

CSAT Top-Screen Questions (PDF, 79 pages - 1.1 MB) List of questions provided to assist chemical facility owners and operators in assembling the information needed to complete the secure web-based CSAT application