With the screening phase of the new chemical facility security standards well under way, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now requiring high-risk facilities to perform and submit vulnerability assessments for their facilities.Implementation of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards recently entered its second stage with the launch of the secure, online Security Vulnerability Assessment (SVA) tool. The SVA tool is now available through the DHS online Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT).

High-risk facilities notified
Only high-risk facilities notified of a preliminary tier rating in writing by DHS are required to complete and submit an SVA.

Deadlines to submit the SVA are specified in the notification letter. In general, the deadlines for completing and submitting an SVA are:

• Preliminary Tier 1 (highest risk) — 90 days
• Preliminary Tier 2 — 120 days
• Preliminary Tier 3 — 150 days
• Preliminary Tier 4 — about 180 days (Note: Tier 4 facilities also have the option of submitting an Alternative Security Program (ASP) in lieu of an SVA.)

Facilities that do not receive the notification letter from DHS do not need to complete an SVA.

Extensions available
If a facility received a notification letter and would like to request an extension of the SVA deadline, requests can be sent via regular mail.

For more information on CSAT and to review the SVA questions and instructions, visit: www.dhs.gov/chemicalsecurity

	J. J. Keller’s Homeland Security Information Center is designed to keep you abreast of the latest security-related developments from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)… and how those developments impact your operation.

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