June 27, 2005—About 20 percent of high-risk sites in the chemical industry are not participating in any measurable voluntary security programs, according to Acting Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Directorate (IAIP) Robert Stephan, speaking before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has, in turn, concluded that a regulatory framework which adheres to risk-based methods is needed to close remaining security gaps and further reduce risks to the US chemical sector.
The department has outlined three core principles: The rules must be based on risk assessments, with the most scrutiny given to sites that, if attacked, could endanger the greatest number of lives or have the greatest economic impact; facility security should be based on performance standards that allow facilities flexibility in selecting appropriate site-specific security measures; and regulation should recognize and build on the progress already made by responsible companies.
For more information, visit the Web site of the Department of Homeland Security.
