As more and more chemicals are used throughout the world to provide for our daily needs, the threat surrounding chemicals also grows. Chemicals can be used in many applications to harm people, wildlife, or the environment. There have been many instances in history where chemicals were used in terrorist activities such as bombs, gas releases, or poisonings. The government has utilized the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) as a means to combat the illegal procurement of dangerous chemicals and enhance security initiatives for facilities that engage with targeted chemicals. Recently the federal government has let the funding for CFATS lapse, so the program standards can no longer being enforced by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

According to the FBI, attempted fraudulent purchases of dangerous chemicals have been steadily increasing in recent years. Without the tools, oversight, and background programs that CISA provides through CFATS, it now falls on the facilities to clamp down on their chemicals and be more diligent in their security efforts. CISA is urging lawmakers to approve funding for CFATS to return the program to operational status, but until that happens, chemical managers need to be on heightened alert. There are still tools available that facilities can use to aid them such as ChemLock. According to CISA, “the ChemLock program is a completely voluntary program that provides facilities that possess dangerous chemicals no-cost services and tools to help them better understand the risks they face and improve their chemical security posture in a way that works for their business model.”

For more information regarding the ChemLock, click here.
If you have any questions regarding the programs, drop us a line. We’d be happy to assist.