Fertilizer Security Deadline Approaches

The deadline to get on board with the Chemical Security Assessment will be here before you know it.

Jan. 21 is the deadline for retailers to register with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and complete a Top-Screen assessment if they carry specific products on-site. The list of chemicals of concern, known as Appendix A, and the Top-Screen assessment are part of the DHS Appropriations Act of 2007. Once the assessment is completed, DHS will notify those retailers considered “high risk.”

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There are several fertilizer products included in the chemicals of concern list: ammonium nitrate, anhydrous ammonia, aqua ammonia, potassium nitrate, and sodium nitrate. The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) successfully argued for the removal of urea from the list. Visit www.dhs.gov/chemicalsecurity to view the full list.

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“Our industry stands to be impacted heavily by new security regulations imposed on facilities that possess fertilizers above the threahold levels,” says TFI President Ford West. “As members go through the process of registering and complying with these new security regulations, TFI will continue to work with DHS to ensure our members’ compliance questions are answered.”

A section of the act authorizes DHS to require high-risk chemical facilities to complete security vulnerability assessments, develop site security plans, and implement risk-based measures designed to satisfy DHS-defined risk-based performance standards. The act also authorizes DHS to enforce compliance with the security regulations, including conducting audits and inspections of high-risk facilities, imposing civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day, and shutting down facilities that fail to comply with the regulations.

If your dealership hasn’t done so already, visit the DHS Web site, www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/programs/gc_1169501486197.shtm, and complete the Chemical Security Assessment Tool. For question regarding compliance, contact Kris Ballweg, TFI director of government relations, at 202-515-2701 or by e-mail at [email protected].
 

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