888-745-8943

TSCA Chemical Inventory now Accessible to Public

Due to the EPA's efforts to increase transparency for toxic chemicals in the US, the agency is providing free web access to the TSCA Chemical Inventory. The inventory contains thousands of industrial chemicals that are maintained by the EPA. This represents one of the many steps that the US government is taking to disseminate knowledge of chemicals that may be harmful to human health and the environment. Also, it highlights the momentum that is building towards legislative reform of the 30-year old TSCA law. For access to the entire TSCA Inventory, please visit http://www.epa.gov/oppt/newchems/pubs/invntory.htm

EPA Section 313 TRI Requirements for Hydrogen Sulfide

Since a 1994 issue of an administrative stay on EPRCRA requirements for hydrogen sulfide, the Agency has been evaluating hydrogen sulfide for a possible lifting of the administrative stay on this chemical. If the stay is lifted, the rules for TRI reporting requirements for hydrogen sulfide will change. Comments on this change are being requested on or before April 27, 2010. Essentially the Agency proposed to list hydrogen sulfide as a section 313 chemical due to chronic, toxic-to-human effects. However many who commented on this argued that some of the respiratory effects cited are better described as acute, rather than chronic (inflammation, edema, cellular necrosis, hyperplasia and exfoliation). The change in this terminology may affect the TPQ amounts reportable under EPCRA Section 313 for hydrogen sulfide. Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ- TRI-2009-0844, by one of the following methods: www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. Or E-mail: oei.docket@epa.gov.

Safetec Compliance Systems Announces Expansion

Release Date: February 5, 2010 – Safetec Compliance Systems, Inc. is pleased to announce the opening of its new corporate headquarters in Vancouver, Washington, effective immediately. The new office is located at 7700 NE Parkway Drive, Suite 125, Vancouver, WA 98662. Safetec’s Founder and Chairman, Duane Burkett, said, “Despite a challenging economy, Safetec continues to grow rapidly. With our pace of new client acquisitions, competitive wins, and dramatic service expansion across our existing clients, we needed to enlarge both our headcount and physical space. Our need for enlargement is a testament to our industry leading technology, absolute focus on our customers’ success, and expanding solution offering.”

The new ‘state-of-the-art’ building will increase Safetec’s ability to handle rapid industry change and company growth. Centrally located in Vancouver’s premier office park, the new location offers quick access to the Portland International Airport and many outstanding restaurants and hotels.

Safetec’s commitment to environmental sustainability has led to extensive use of eco-friendly materials and technologies in the new office space, helping the company reduce its environmental footprint. “We are serious about sustainability,” said Safetec’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Jim Frohlich. “Safetec’s new headquarters blends truly environmentally friendly building technologies and efficient operational systems with a highly ergonomic atmosphere for our employees. To limit resource utilization, we have reviewed all of our business and personnel processes. We are committed to lowering our use of non-renewable resources and promoting sustainable practices.”

About Safetec

Safetec is a Software as a Service (SaaS) company dedicated to providing world-class chemical and regulatory compliance solutions to organizations worldwide, with an emphasis on MSDS/SDS, chemical inventory, GHS, REACH, environmental reporting and sustainability. Safetec’s leading technologies are designed to reduce costs and simplify compliance procedures while protecting employees and the environment. Safetec backs its solutions with the highest commitment to customer service. For additional information about Safetec Compliance Systems, Inc. or the services they offer, visit www.safetec.net or call (888) 745-8943.

Obama Administration Announces steps towards a cleaner fuel future

Yesterday, Feb. 3, 2010 President Obama met with a bipartisan group of US governors to announce America’s plans to support biofuels and clean coal. Among the many changes to be implemented is the creation of an interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage. This will give the federal government tools to develop and deploy clean coal technolgies. The US Department of Agriculture has garnered financial backing for the Biomass Crop Assistance program to increase conversion of biomass to bioenergy. The president also stated that he supports the passage of a comprehensive energy and climate bill to create a new economic paradigm, one where clean energy is the most profitable.
Below is a quick view of the US announcements on US Energy Policy:

Renewable fuels standard

Biomass crop assistance program

Biofuels working group

Presidential Memorandum for a Comprehensive Federal Strategy on Carbon Capture and Storage.
More details can be found at:

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/3A91D20F44B4B2D2852576BF00711782

US submits GHG reductions target to the UN

On January 28, 2010, President Obama submitted the US greenhouse emissions reduction pledge to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat. The gist of the pledge was that the US would cut greenhouse gas emissions from the 2005 levels, by 17 percent by 2020. This was the formalization of the agreement made last month under the Copenhagen Accord, in part secured by the President’s efforts at the UN Climate Change Conference in December 2009. The deadline for all countries to pledge their reduction targets is on January 31, 2010. Some other countries that are expected to submit their greenhouse reduction plans by this deadline are: China, India, South Africa, Brazil, the European Union, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Norway and Singapore.

The intent of this most recent climate accord is to limit global warming to below 2 deg. C (3.6 deg. F). If the temperature of the Earth continues to rise by:

1.5 deg. C – 30% of species face increased risk of extinction

2.0 deg C – many areas of human population uninhabitable

3.5 deg. C – 40-70% of species become extinct

4.0 deg. C – extreme consequences potentially beyond our ability to adapt.

Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and chlorofluorocarbons.

For the US to meet its pledged target for greenhouse emissions, energy and climate legislation is expected to come to the forefront for the US Congress this year, including the development of a comprehensive climate bill.
More on this at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/28/AR2010012803632.html

Fourteen (14) New SVHC Chemicals to be scrutinized by ECHA

In January, 2010, ECHA, the management arm of REACH regulatory legislation, has added 14 more substances to the SVHC (or Substances of Very High Concern) list, bringing the total number to 29. The substances can be found on Safetec’s CCM8 database. These SVHC chemicals were initially taken from a “candidate list” of over 1500 chemicals and must have one or more of the following properties to be subjected to the REACH authorization process:

CMR –Can cause cancer, mutations or toxic to reproduction

PBT – Persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic

vPvBT– Very persistent, very bio-accumulative, very toxic.

The addition of a substance to the authorization list means that those who manufacture or distribute these chemicals in or to EU states must follow immediate, legally binding obligations.

The fully updated list can be found here: http://echa.europa.eu/chem_data/authorisation_process/candidate_list_table_en.asp A summary of the legal obligations that follow the inclusion of a substance on this list is at: http://echa.europa.eu/chem_data/authorisation_process/candidate_list_obligations_en.asp

EPA will reject Confidential Business Information (CBI) Claims

Today the EPA announced that it will reject the type of confidentiality claim (CBI) on the identity of chemicals that show a substantial risk to health and the environment. This action represents the amped up focus EPA has on reforming TSCA, the Toxic Substances Control Act. The chemicals that will be affected by this new policy are those that have been submitted to the EPA that show a substantial risk to health and the environment and which are listed on the TSCA chemical inventory. According to present TSCA requirements, US chemical manufacturers, importers, processors, and distributers are obligated to notify EPA immediately upon acquisition of chemical information that relates to their chemical substance or mixtures. This information is to be posted within 30 days of receipt. Until now, companies have routinely claimed confidentiality for the identity of the chemical, when posting the Section 8(e) reports on the EPA website. Consequently this public posting of the information on their products would not include the name of the chemical. But today’s announcement will stop this practice, and remove this loop hole to serve to increase transparency on chemical risk information, at least for the public portion of the TSCA inventory. More information on this new policy can be found at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/eeffe922a687433c85257359003f5340/631cf22eb540c4db852576b2004eca47!OpenDocument

The EPA has passed some final rules today on tolerance levels for specific pesticides.

Effective today, Jan. 6, 2010, the rule grants time-limited tolerances for these pesticides:

Bifenthrin, CAS number 82657-04-3
Avermectin, (lactone series) 65195-55-3; 65195-56-4; 71751-41-2
Boscalid, 188425-85-6
Mancozeb, 8018-01-7
Pendimethalin, 40487-42-1
Pyraclostrobin, 175013-18-0
Zoxamide, 156052-68-5
and Dinotefuran. 165252-70-0

The tolerances will expire and will be revoked Dec. 31, 2010 or Dec. 31, 2012, depending on the chemical. This ruling affects agricultural producers, and manufacturers in the food and pesticide sector. These chemicals are authorized for use under FIFRA, section 18. Objections and requests for hearings on this rule must be filed by March 8, 2010.
More details available at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/E9-31279.htm
Exemptions from tolerance requirements that are not time-limited, are also effective today, Jan. 6, 2010. These are:

Choline Chloride CAS no. 67-48-1
Dibenzylidene Sorbitol CAS no. 32647-67-9
Acrylic acid–benzyl methacrylate–1–propanesulfonic acid, 2–methyl–2–[(1–oxo–2–propenyl)amino]–, monosodium salt copolymer CAS no. 1152297-42-1

More information on these exceptions are at:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/E9-31280.htm
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/E9-31281.htm
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/E9-31174.htm

EPA Announces Establishment of a “Chemicals of Concern List” as part of TSCA Reform

For the first time, EPA intends to establish a “Chemicals of Concern” list. This action represents the heightened determination the agency has to exercise its authority under the existing Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to the fullest extent possible. It is part of EPA’s crusade to reform the outdated 1976 law.

The chemicals that will appear on the “Chemicals of Concern list” are:

1) Phthalates
2) Short-chain chlorinated paraffins
3) polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs,209 cogeners)
4) perfluorinated chemicals (including PFOA, perfluorooctanoic acid, Cas # 335-67-1)

Also, EPA announced that three U.S. companies agreed to phase out DecaBDE (Cas # 1163-19-5), a widely used fire retardant chemical that may potentially cause cancer and may impact brain function.

The actions that will be taken are:

Adding phthalates and PBDE chemicals to the concern list.

Beginning a process that could lead to risk reductions actions under section 6 of TSCA for several phthalates, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, and perfluorinated chemicals

Reinforcing the DecaBDE phaseout – which will take place over three years – with requirements to ensure that any new uses of PBDEs are reviewed by EPA prior to returning to the market.

Section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act gives EPA the authority to protect against unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment from chemical substances. If EPA finds that there is a reasonable basis to conclude that the chemical's manufacture, processing, distribution, use or disposal presents an unreasonable risk, EPA may use this rule to action to prohibit and/or limit the manufacture, processing and/or distribution of the chemical.

The list signals the EPA’s commitment to aggressively use its clout under TSCA. Inclusion on the list shows EPA’s strong concern about the risks that those chemicals pose and the agency’s intention to manage those risks. Chemical companies can provide information to the agency if they want to demonstrate that their listed chemical does not pose an unreasonable risk.

More information on EPA’s legislative reform principles and a fact sheet on the complete set of actions on the four chemicals: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals

EPA Introduces a Mapping Tool and a new Mobile Source Emissions Model (MOVES) for 2010.

Mapping Tool A new mapping tool that will provide the public with increased transparency on environmental enforcement in the US has been released recently. The tool is a web-based, interactive map that gives details on the location and enforcement actions at 4,600 facilities across the country. These details include the violations incurred and the dollar amount of the penalties that were applied. With this new tool, it is also possible to zero in on water bodies that are listed as not meeting federal standards. EPA did not map drinking water treatment plants due to terrorist concerns. More information can be accessed at: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/reports/endofyear/eoy2009/index.html MOVES The EPA has released an updated version of MOBILE 6.2 called MOVES, or Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator – MOVES2010 is a state-of-the-art modeling tool for estimating emissions from motor vehicles. It is the best tool that the EPA has for estimating GHG emissions and represents a significant improvement over MOBILE 6.2 because it uses brand-new software, designed from the ground up to make more detailed estimates. MOVES2010 can estimate emissions from mobile source air toxics (MSATs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and direct particulate matter (PM10 and PM 2.5). More information can be accessed at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/index.htm

New Changes in Proposition 65 effective today, Dec. 18, 2009

Effective December 18, 2009, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of the California Environmental Protection Agency is adding the chemicals identified below to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity, for the purposes of Proposition 65, also known as The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. Chemicals Listed Effective December 18, 2009 as Known to the State of California to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity: wood dust, zidovudine (AZT), Tert-Amyl methyl ether (TAME) and ethyl-tert-butyl ether (EBTE) Listed by their CAS #, they are: Wood Dust - No CAS # Zidovudine - 30516-87-1 Tert-Amyl methyl ether - 994-05-8 Ethyl-tert-butyl ether - 637-92-3 Contact Safetec today to speak to one of our project managers for more details on how to incorporate this updated information to your system.

Dr. David Micheals begins OSHA duties this week

Dr. David Micheals received confirmation by the US Senate on Dec. 3, 2009 to take his post as Assistant Secretary of Labor and Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). His duties began this week of Dec. 7, 2009. Michaels has been a research professor and interim chair of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services in Washington, D.C. He was the U.S. Department of Energy's assistant secretary for Environment, Safety and Health from 1998 through January 2001 during the Clinton administration, then joined the GWU school, where he directs The Project on Scientific Knowledge and Public Policy. He is the author of several seminal works that have influenced environmental health and safety overhauls in the workplace. According to Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and OSHA's acting director, Jordan Barab, Michaels will hit the ground running, tackling such issues as ergonomics rulemaking, updating Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs), diactetyl rulemaking among many other tasks on the Department of Labor’s semiannual regulatory agenda.

Anniversary of Clean Water Act Heralds New EPA Enforcement Plan

October 15th is the 37th Anniversary of the EPA’s Clean Water Act and to celebrate, Administrator Lisa Jackson unveils a new Clean Water Act enforcement plan.

There are three key points in this new plan, which will be implemented at the federal and state level.

1) More innovative approaches to target enforcement of the most serious violations will be developed. These include criminal enforcement for factories and large wastewater treatment plants that unlawfully discharge pollutants to waterways.

2) Giving more muscle to the oversight of state permitting and enforcement programs and to pursue federal enforcement actions as necessary.

3) Improving on the government and corporate transparency and accountability to the American public.

A chief part of this enforcement plan is to accelerate the development of 21st century information technology tools. This means EPA will be converting more and more to an electronic reporting system. The EPA has recognized what we at Safetec already know: Electronic reporting saves money and is good for the environment. The full report on today’s announcement can be found at

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/8d49f7ad4bbcf4ef852573590040b7f6/c130f2d58a7ef16d85257650004d846e!OpenDocument

OSHA Roll Over to GHS is in the Works

On September 30, 2009, OSHA published a proposal in the Federal register to modify the existing Hazard Communications Standard (HCS) to conform to the GHS, the United Nations Globally Harmonized System. The GHS provides an international standard for the identities and hazards of chemicals used for improved quality of life worldwide. It also supplies guidance for the development and application of globally harmonized measures to protect people and the environment when these chemicals are manufactured, transported and consumed. The GHS classification is the basis for creating a hazard communication palette that includes GHS Safety Data Sheets and labels and allows the composition of risk management systems to delineate hazard communication and exposure/monitoring control

The proposed modifications to the standard include revised criteria for classification of chemical hazards; revised labeling provisions that include requirements for use of standardized signal words, pictograms, hazard statements, and precautionary statements. There will be a specified format for safety data sheets and related revisions to definitions of terms used in the standard, as well as requirements for employee training on labels and safety data sheets. OSHA is also proposing to modify provisions of a number of other standards, including standards for flammable and combustible liquids, process safety management, and most substance-specific health standards, to ensure consistency with the modified HCS requirements.

The publication of this proposal in the Federal Register allows for 90 days of public comment, before the proposal officially takes effect. Visit this link for more information on this new OSHA proposal.

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=FEDERAL_REGISTER&p_id=21110

The Safetec solution allows for tremendous flexibility plus the ability to phase in GHS as OSHA formally adopts the standard. For more information on how we can assist you in this new transition, please contact our Safetec sales team today.

Obama Nominates David Michaels to Lead OSHA

David Michaels brings a completely unique perspective to the nation’s safety regulatory agency. Michaels was the chief architect of DOE’s initiative to compensate workers in the nuclear weapons industry who developed cancer or lung disease as a result of exposure to radiation, beryllium and other hazards. Michaels is certain to scare members of the business community, especially chemical manufacturers. In 2008, Michaels wrote the book, Doubt is Their Product: How Industry’s Assault on Science Threatens Your Health. He has conducted numerous studies of the health effects of occupational exposure to toxic chemicals, including asbestos, metals and solvents, and has written extensively on science and regulatory policy. It is a safe bet to assume that Michaels will focus a fair amount of resources on chemical compliance and risk related issues.

David Michaels, PhD, MPH, is an epidemiologist and is currently Research Professor at the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.

For additional information, please review the following web site:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-Announces-More-Key-Administration-Posts-7-28-09/

EPA Administrator Reinstates Full TRI Reporting Requirements

“People have a right to information that might affect their health and the health of their children -- and EPA has a responsibility to provide it,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Restoring the TRI reporting requirements assures transparency and provides a crucial tool for safeguarding human health and the environment in our communities.”

The final rule reinstates Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reporting requirements that were replaced by the TRI Burden Reduction Rule in December 2006. The 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, signed by President Obama on March 11, 2009, mandated that prior TRI reporting requirements be reestablished.

These changes will apply to all TRI reports due July 1, 2009.

TRI is a publicly available EPA database that contains information on toxic chemical releases and waste management activities reported annually by certain industries as well as federal facilities.

The December 2006 TRI Burden Reduction Final Rule expanded Form A eligibility for non-Persistent, Bioaccumulative, Toxic (non-PBT) chemicals to 5,000 pounds and allowed use of Form A for the first time for PBT chemicals under limited circumstances. This rule was met with concern over the availability of required data under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and resulted in a lawsuit by 13 states to restore the TRI Form A thresholds and usage to what they were prior to the 2006 rule.

Following the rule signature, all reports on PBT chemicals must be submitted on the more detailed Form R. For all other chemicals, the shorter Form A may only be used if the annual reporting amount is 500 pounds or less and less than 1 million pounds of the chemical was manufactured, processed or otherwise used during the reporting year.

TRI-ME software and other reporting assistance materials are being revised and will be available soon. TRI reports for 2008 are due on July 1, 2009.

More information on TRI: http://www.epa.gov/TRI/

Questions on reporting requirements: http://www.epa.gov/tri/contacts/contacts.htm

President’s Proposed EPA Budget Provides Strengthened Environmental Protection

Feb. 26, 2009 - The Obama administration today proposed a budget of $10.5 billion for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the largest in the agency’s 39-year history. The increase of $3 billion from 2008 funding levels will further ensure the protection of public health and the environment for all Americans.

“The president’s budget proposes critical resources to protect the American people and the places where they live, work and play,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “We are no longer faced with the false choice of a strong economy or a clean environment. The president’s budget shows that making critical and responsible investments in protecting the health and environment of all Americans will also lead to a more vibrant and stable economy. With these proposed resources, and the president’s strong environmental agenda, it should be overwhelmingly clear that EPA is back on the job.”

Last week, President Obama announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which includes $7.22 billion for EPA-administered projects and programs to protect human health and the environment.

Some key highlights of 2010 budget initiatives include:

$3.9 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund grants to support approximately 1,000 clean water projects and 700 drinking water projects - this year’s largest single investment. In addition to the funds recently invested through the ARRA, this funding is a critical step in addressing the water infrastructure needs in thousands of communities across the country. EPA will work with state and local partners to develop a sustainability policy, including management and pricing, conservation, security and a plan for adequate long-term state and municipal funding for future capital needs.

A new $475 million, multi-agency Great Lakes Initiative to protect the world’s largest fresh water resource. EPA will coordinate with federal partners, states, tribes, localities and other entities to protect, maintain and restore the chemical, biological and physical integrity of the lakes. EPA and its partners will address invasive species, non-point source pollution, habitat restoration, contaminated sediment and other critical issues.

A $19 million increase for the greenhouse gas emissions inventory and related activities that will provide data critical for implementing a comprehensive climate change bill. EPA’s funding for climate change investments is the foundation for working with key stakeholders and Congress to develop an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions approximately 83 percent below 2005 levels by 2050.

Strengthening EPA’s core research, enforcement and regulatory capabilities. The budget request also proposes reinstating the Superfund excise taxes that expired. Reinstating the Superfund taxes would collect over $1 billion annually to fund the cleanup of the nation’s most contaminated sites.

More information on EPA’s FY 2010 budget request:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/

Obama's New Environmental Team

Release Date: December 11, 2008

Steve Chu

Barack Obama has nominated a Nobel laureate to be in charge of his new energy team. The President-Elect has selected Steve Chu, who won the Nobel for work on atom manipulation before concentrating on climate change and energy, to be the new head of the Department of Energy.

Chu is currently the director of the DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Lisa Jackson

Obama is also expected to select Lisa Jackson to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Jackson has spent the past 16 years as an EPA enforcement officer. She was responsible for hazardous waste cleanups in New Jersey while serving as that state’s Department of Environmental Protection commissioner.

Jackson holds a master's degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University.

Nancy Sutley

Sutley, a deputy mayor of Los Angeles, has been picked to head the White House Council on Environmental Quality. She previously served on the California State Water Resources Board and as energy advisor for former California Gov. Gray Davis.

Sutley received her master’s degree in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and an undergraduate degree from Cornell University.

Safetec Featured in Occupational Hazards Magazine

Release Date: July 21, 2008

Check out the latest issue of Occupational Hazards Magazine which focuses on internet resources for the safety community.

Article Link

DHS Chemicals of Interest List in Safetec Regulation Database

Release Date: November 29, 2007

We have updated our regulation database to include the finalized version of the Department of Homeland Security’s Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards - Chemicals of Interest list. You can now check to see if you have any chemicals on that list.

Besides just loading the chemical list into our database, we also took the time to capture all of the attributes associated to each chemical.

We have transposed the data from the original format (which is PDF) to Excel. You are welcome to pass this document on to any anyone who is interested. We will be releasing this to the public through our website soon.
DHS Excel Version

DHS Publishes Chemicals of Interest List for Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards

Release Date: November 2, 2007

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary Contact: 202-282-8010

Chemicals of Interest List
Fact Sheet: Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards: Appendix A
The Department of Homeland Security today released Appendix A of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS), a critical element of its chemical security efforts.

The appendix contains a list of chemicals that, if possessed by a facility in a specified quantity, trigger a requirement to complete and submit an easy-to-use, online consequence assessment tool called a Top-Screen.

Using the information gathered through the Top-Screen, the department will be better able to make a preliminary determination as to whether a facility presents a high level of security risk and whether it will be required to comply with the substantive requirements of CFATS.

“The publication of Appendix A is a critical piece of the federal effort to increase security at high-risk facilities, making it less likely that terrorists can use dangerous chemicals in attacks,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “The chemical security Interim Final Rule defined how the department will implement this substantial new authority given by Congress. With the release of Appendix A, we continue the process of minimizing a significant threat to better ensure the security of American citizens.”

To determine the type and quantity of chemicals that will be subject to the preliminary screening process, DHS examined the following three security issues:

Release – quantities of toxic, flammable, or explosive chemicals that have the potential to create significant adverse consequences for human life or health if intentionally released or detonated;

Theft and diversion – chemicals that have the potential, if stolen or diverted, to be used or converted into weapons; and

Sabotage and contamination – chemicals that, if mixed with other readily available materials, have the potential to create significant adverse consequences for human life or health.

The department identified these chemicals in the specific amounts for preliminary screening based on their potential to create significant human life or health consequences.

Appendix A lists approximately 300 chemicals of interest and includes common industrial chemicals such as chlorine, propane and anhydrous ammonia as well as specialty chemicals such as arsine and phosphorus trichloride. Facilities that possess chemicals of interest at or above the listed screening threshold quantities are required to complete the Top-Screen within 60 calendar days of the publication of Appendix A.

DHS has worked closely with the chemical industry as well as state and local authorities on strengthening security at chemical facilities throughout the country. While many chemical facilities have already initiated voluntary security programs and made significant investments to improve security, gaps remain. The CFATS regulation imposes for the first time comprehensive federal security regulations for high-risk chemical facilities. The CFATS regulation, issued on April 9, 2007, is already being implemented at certain high risk chemical facilities across the nation.

For more information on chemical security or to view the Appendix A final rule of CFATS, please visit www.dhs.gov/chemicalsecurity.

CSAT - Chemical Security Assessment Tool

The Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT) is the Department of Homeland Security's system for collecting and analyzing key data from chemical facilities to:

Register for CSAT
Identify facilities that present a high level of risk
Support the preliminary and final tiering decisions for individual high-risk facilities
Assess a facility’s security vulnerabilities
Evaluate a facility’s security plan to address vulnerabilities and meet risk-based performance standards

The Chemical Security Assessment Tool comprises four secure, web-based tools:

Facility Registration Questionnaire
Consequence screening questionnaire (Top-Screen)
Security Vulnerability Assessment (SVA) tool
Site Security Plan (SSP) template

After registering for CSAT, facilities are provided access to the Top Screen, which enables the Department to determine if they are a high risk chemical facility covered by the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Interim Final Rule (CFATS). For facilities that are determined to be high risk, other tools, specifically the SVA and SPP, are made available to satisfy additional CFATS requirements. Register to Access CSAT To complete and submit a Top Screen, required by the Chemical Facility Anti-terrorism Standards 6 CFR 27, please register for access to the Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT).

CSAT User Registration User Guide (PDF, 45 pages - 903 KB)
CSAT User Change Request Guide (PDF, 26 pages - 686 KB)

CSAT Top-Screen Survey Any facility that manufactured, used, stored or distributed certain chemicals above a specified quantity must complete and submit a CSAT Top-Screen. The proposed Appendix A ''Chemicals of Interest List,'' is available. The Department may also notify facilities – either directly or through a Federal Register notice – that they need to complete and submit a CSAT Top-Screen.

CSAT Top-Screen Questions (PDF, 79 pages - 1.1 MB) List of questions provided to assist chemical facility owners and operators in assembling the information needed to complete the secure web-based CSAT application
CSAT Top-Screen User Manual (PDF, 71pages - 1.5 MB)

Once a Top Screen survey has been completed and submitted, it cannot be recalled and edited. Please enter Top Screen data carefully and proofread entries before submitting. Your submitter should keep a copy of the Top Screen for future reference. If you need to resubmit your Top Screen, please contact the CSAT Help Desk at 866-323-2957 or csat@dhs.gov Need Additional Help?
You have two sources of help if you have any questions

You may access the CSAT Frequently Asked Questions website
You may call the CSAT Helpline at 866-323-2957 from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday-Friday

EPA Proposed AEGL Values

The National Advisory Committee for Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) for Hazardous Substances (NAC/AEGL Committee) is developing AEGLs on an ongoing basis to provide Federal, State, and local agencies with information on short-term exposures to hazardous substances.
This notice provides a list of 37 hazardous substances for Proposed AEGL values, which are available for public review and comment. Comments are welcome on both the Proposed AEGL values and the Technical Support Documents in the public docket.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 19, 2007.
EPA-HQ-OPPT-2006-0832-0001

Safetec is a trademark of Safetec Software. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners

Subscribe to the Safetec Newsletter

For additional information on how Safetec can help solve your MSDS management and chemical management issues, please click here or call us at 888-745-8943. You can also e-mail Safetec at info@safetec.net.

Sign up for Safetec's Compliance Newsletter

Name	:
Email	:

888-745-8943

NEWS

Current News and PR

Archives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sign up for Safetec's Compliance Newsletter