SOCMA: Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates

Washington, DC – The Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) today welcomed the introduction of legislation in the U.S. Senate that would reauthorize chemical facility security standards, allowing chemical companies across the country to continue making important investments to safeguard themselves against a potential terrorist attack.

The legislation, known as the Continuing Chemical Facilities Antiterrorism Security Act, was introduced today by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), together with Senators Mark Pryor (D-AR), George Voinovich (R-OH), and Mary Landrieu (D-LA), and would extend the current chemical security standards until 2015.

“One of our nation’s greatest vulnerabilities is the threat of a terrorist attack against a chemical facility,” said Senator Collins, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee.  “The Department of Homeland Security has done a remarkable job developing a comprehensive chemical security program. This industry is vital to our country’s economy and important to advancements and innovations in critical fields such as science, technology, agriculture, medicine and manufacturing, but it can also be a dangerous threat in the event of a terrorist attack. That is why it is critical that we enable the Department to continue this important work.   The legislation passed by the House of Representatives would unwisely bring this progress to a screeching halt.”

“The bipartisan leadership shown by these four senators is precisely what our nation needs when it comes to securing the homeland. We applaud them for ensuring the continuation of the comprehensive Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act Standards,” said Bill Allmond, SOCMA’s Vice President of Government Relations and ChemStewards®.  “We hope this bill is the start of a new beginning toward a bipartisan solution to a permanent chemical security law."

In November, the House of Representatives passed the Chemical and Water Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2868), which included a controversial product substitution mandate in a misguided attempt to safeguard chemical facilities against terrorism. SOCMA has long opposed efforts to impose overreaching standards such as inherently safer technology (IST) on small businesses. 

For information about SOCMA’s position on IST and to read the Five Things About Chemical Site Security That Nobody is Discussing, please visit www.socma.com/ist

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About SOCMA
SOCMA is the leading trade association, serving the batch, custom and specialty chemical industry since 1921. SOCMA’s nearly 300 members employ more than 100,000 workers across the country and produce 50,000 products valued at $60 billion annually. For more information please visit www.socma.com.

ChemStewards® is SOCMA’s flagship environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) continuous performance improvement program.  ChemStewards was created from industry’s commitment to reducing our environmental footprint.  Industry created ChemStewards to meet the unique needs of the batch, custom, and specialty chemical industry. As a mandatory requirement for SOCMA members engaged in the manufacturing or handling of chemicals, ChemStewards is helping participants reach for superior EHS&S performance.  To learn more visit www.chemstewards.com.