The Department of Homeland Security has issued regulations to establish chemical facility security standards. Finishers and chemical suppliers need to review the requirements of this rule to determine if they need to submit an initial “Top-Screen” assessment of the potential risks regarding the chemicals that are manufactured, used, stored, or distributed at their facilities.

Facilities must submit Top-Screens by the end of August, 2007, or face potential civil penalties or orders to cease operations. The industry’s NASF Washington Forum in May hosted key Homeland Security staff to discuss the rule and solicit input from the finishing industry on its concerns.

For more information on the applicability of DHS security requirements to your facility, or for the DHS presentation on chemical concerns, visit the NASF website at www.nasf.org.