ARLINGTON, VA – The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) President, Eric R. Byer, issued a statement thanking the U.S. House of Representatives for reauthorizing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program for an additional two years, which is set to expire on Jan. 19, 2019.

In the statement, Byer said, “Since 2007, CFATS has regulated high-risk chemical facilities to ensure they have established and implemented security measures to thwart potential bad actors. With the program scheduled to expire in nine days, industry and federal regulators alike need a multi-year reauthorization of CFATS to ensure the security of our nation’s chemical infrastructure remains a top priority. We are thankful the House acted in bipartisan fashion to extend this important program for another two years.

“Working as long-time partners with the Department of Homeland Security since CFATS was first created, chemical distributors have been adamant about ensuring the program undergoes a smooth, efficient reauthorization before it expires in order to continue working with DHS to safeguard their facilities from bad actors. The chemical distribution industry and the security of the nation as a whole depend on the continuation of this all-important program.”