Chemical Security

Security within the chemical sector remains an important state and federal issue in light of potential adverse effects that might arise from a terrorist attack at chemical manufacturing, storage, or transportation facilities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has jurisdiction over industrial facility security, and considers the chemical sector a high priority due to the hazardous nature of many chemicals and the proximity of many chemical facilities to population centers.

Following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, NPCA created the Security Code under Coatings Care®, which seeks to assist member companies in their efforts to conduct their day-to-day plant operations in a manner that is consistent with established health, safety, and environmental practices. An accompanying Implementation Guide is designed to help members assess their “vulnerabilities” and understand and manage the risks associated with terrorist actions against their sites and resources.

Although there is no formal association committee with responsibility to monitor and address security issues, NPCA has created an ad hoc security group that identifies concerns and assists staff in developing appropriate industry responses on key issues. Several NPCA committees routinely address certain regulated security issues, including the Occupational Health and Safety Committee (workplace security, including site access), the Transportation and Distribution Committee (transport security requirements under DOT), and the Manufacturing Committee (which monitors security impacts on manufacturing facilities as a whole).

Additionally, NPCA participates in the Chemical Sector Security Council (CSSC), which formally provides industry advice on security to DHS. NPCA along with other trade association members of the CSSC, works toward developing more effective ways to implement chemical security policy.

For more information on this subject, please visit the DHS Chemical Security/Critical Infrastructure website.