The Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) recently announced it applauds the introduction of bipartisan legislation to authorize the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) for multiple years, providing more regulatory certainty for the SOCMA members that are required to comply with them.

The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Authorization and Accountability Act of 2014was introduced by U.S. Representative Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. The bill endorses the standards’ current framework while acknowledging opportunity for improvement. House Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.) and U.S. Representative Gene Green (D-Texas) are original co-sponsors.

“SOCMA has been working closely with the House Committee on Homeland Security for the last few months on this bill and we are pleased with the outcome,” said Bill Allmond, vice president of Government and Public Relations. “As SOCMA has testified in the past, the CFATS program should be permanent to be successful. This bill provides a stronger foundation for the program, lays out clearer direction for the Department of Homeland Security, and helps our members better anticipate compliance as a result of a multi-year authorization.”

For more information, visit www.socma.com.