Chemical Industry Pushes for Government Security Standards Following CFATS Lapse

Chemical industry groups are supporting a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) that calls on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address security vulnerabilities in the chemical sector. The issue stems from the expiration of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program in July 2023, which removed the ability for facilities to vet personnel against the federal Terrorist Screening Database. The GAO recommended that the DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) evaluate options for voluntary vetting, but the DHS cited significant legal, privacy, and resource concerns regarding the recommendation.

The industry groups are advocating for a return to a vetted security framework, arguing that the current lapse leaves the sector vulnerable to security risks. The DHS has publicly disagreed with the GAO's recommendation, stating that it continues to work with chemical facilities to address personnel-related security risks through current efforts.

Executive branch oversight and the regulatory environment for U.S. manufacturing are being discussed.