Grainnet

Department of Homeland Security's Regulations on Chemical Security Could Potentially Affect U.S. Millers

This article is taken from the North American Millers' Association's (NAMA) July 13 issue of NAMA News.

Washington, DC--The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Chemical Security regulations could potentially require millers to provide the agency with detailed information regarding chemical inventories and security plans.

It is expected that DHS will publish a final listing of chemicals of interest with thresholds in July.

The proposed list, called Appendix A, available on its website now, includes chemicals used in milling and fumication.

Information on the DHS website is available for the first two steps of complying with the chemical security regulations.

The first step, which is an online registration, enables companies to use the secure website to complete the remaining steps.

The second step is completing a Top Screen.

Companies with quantities of chemicals over the threshold amounts must complete a Top Screen, which is a web-based questionnaire regarding inventories of chemicals, their location and storage.

The Top Screen must be completed 60 days from the publication of the final Appendix A.

DHS will use the Top Screen responses to place companies in risk tiers.

The agency is estimating that approximately 2,000 facilities in the United States will be placed in high-risk tiers, which will require companies to submit security vulnerability assessments and the site security plans to DHS.