Category Archives: Chemicals

7000+ Chemical Plants to Spend Hundreds of Millions on Regulatory Compliance

Posted by on April 5, 2011 1 comment

7000+ Chemical Plants to Spend Hundreds of Millions on Regulatory Compliance











Houston, TX (PRWEB) November 1, 2007

Homeland Security’s new Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) demand widespread hardening of chemical facilities. In April 2007, experts projected only about 10,000 chemical plants would need to submit to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Top Screen in 2007. As of October 1, 2007, a staggering 40,000+ plants have submitted Top Screens for review.

Why the huge discrepancy?

The government and the petrochemical industry are facing the very real fact that our critical infrastructure is currently being targeted for attack and that vulnerability exists. Many chemical plants previously thought to be negligible to our national security have been found to play integral roles in the stability of our Nation’s critical infrastructure. The various types of chemical plants are now ranked by risk profile and are compelled to implement varying levels of new security measures to “harden” their facilities.

What does “hardening” mean?

In order to meet the new regulations, chemical facilities must implement significant new security measures. These include electronic surveillance systems, card and gate access control and perimeter security. Furthermore, compliance with DHS regulations will require chemical facilities to develop comprehensive security plans and clearly defined protocols to mitigate the risk of a terrorist attack.

Infrastruct Security is ready: In anticipation of these regulations, Infrastruct Security, Inc., (http://www.infrastructsecurity.com) is a Texas based security integrator, has been proactive in developing a program to assist facilities facing these daunting new regulatory issues. Mr. Daniel Weiss, President and CEO of Infrastruct Security, Inc., has developed a platform that specifically addresses critical infrastructure security. “Fundamentally, DHS and chemical security facilities want to know when and where a security breach has occurred so that they can react accordingly”, says Weiss. “As facilities are required to comply with the new regulations, Infrastruct Security is ready to assist.”

How are chemical facilities impacted?

In order to comply with the CFATs regulations, high-risk chemical facilities are required to perform Security Vulnerability Assessments (SVAs) and formulate a Site Security Plan (SSP) which implements security measures that address the findings of the SVA. Facilities will be required to submit their SSP for review by the Department of Homeland Security who will provide consultation to ensure that the facility’s SSP meets Risk Based Performance Standards (RBPS) identified by the department. Departmental inspectors, trained in CFATS methodology, will inspect high risk chemical facilities to assess the risk level of the facility and assist in the formulations of the appropriate security measures. Departmental inspectors will be dispatched on a regular basis depending upon the tier level of the facility. Higher tier facilities will be inspected first and more often.

High Risk Designations

How are facilities designated as high risk? Facilities that must comply with CFATS are those facilities that manufacture, store or distribute certain chemicals above a specified quantity. The CSAT (Chemical Security Assessment Tool) Top Screen was developed as a method to determine which facilities meet the criteria to be considered high-risk. The CSAT Top Screen is an on-line based questionnaire that must be completed by any facility that possesses or plans to possess certain chemicals. This screening determines the facility’s tier placement.

Compliance is costly, but gambling our national security could cost us much more:

Although the cost of strengthening security measures will be significant, chemical facilities realize that these changes must be made in order to ensure the protection of our Nation’s critical infrastructure. “Many companies impacted by the regulations are being very proactive by engaging in a productive dialogue. They realize that the risk impacts their own employees and assets as well” says Weiss. Non-compliance with DHS regulations could result in hefty fines for chemical facilities or even a shut-down. The business impact and legal ramifications have gained the attention of senior level executives. Weiss says, “We have finally achieved visibility in the board room to address security issues.”

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







New e-commerce guidelines for chemical distributors and traders

Posted by on February 18, 2011 1 comment

New e-commerce guidelines for chemical distributors and traders










NAPLES, FL (PRWEB) December 10, 2003

Members of the International Council of Chemical Trade Associations (ICCTA) adopted a set of guidelines for chemical traders and distributors voluntarily regulating the conditions and restrictions under which they can deliver certain chemicals to commercial as well as private consumers.

There are laws and decrees regulating the marketing of chemicals in almost all countries of the world, but their content varies from country to country. They also vary with respect to the assessments of hazards and risks.

These guidelines emphasize the necessity to strictly obey the national regulations. They also take further account of certain dangerous chemicals that should not be delivered without special caution to customers.

First, both commercial and private customers must be well known to the chemical distributor. This is explained in detail in the Guidelines. One example is that chemicals should not be delivered to customers who are only known through the Internet.

In addition, private customers must explain their intended use. Salespersons of the distributor must be especially educated regarding the hazards and risks of their chemicals. Last, but not least, the deliveries must be documented.

ICCTA recommends these guidelines to its national members in Europe and in North and South America. The goal is for all members of ICCTA to voluntary self-commit to these guidelines.

The International Council of Chemical Trade Associations (ICCTA) is an organization of 20 chemical distributor associations that exists to co-ordinate among associations worldwide on the strategy and representation of chemical distribution and trade before international stake holders on key issues of common interest and on chemical industry programmes. ICCTA promotes the spirit, principles and practices of Responsible Care/Responsible Distribution and international free trade and fair competition within the framework of the WTO.

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







Actio Launches Comprehensive CMS Solution

Posted by on December 23, 2010 1 comment

Actio Launches Comprehensive CMS Solution










Hampton, NH (PRWEB) June 16, 2004

Actio Corporation today announced the completion of a new web site that melds their portfolio of solutions into a cohesive chemical management solution (CMS) designed to manage each stage of the chemical lifecycle.

The Actio CMS portfolio is delivered as an application service provider so client companies can immediately install and begin to realize a return on their investment. Each module can be accessed as a standalone product, however when combined, they form an enterprise wide solution that optimizes the chemical supply chain by managing the flow of chemicals into and throughout the organization. This unprecedented coordination provides more corporate control while significantly reducing the purchasing and handling costs of chemicals.

“With the introduction of Actio Gatekeeper and the launch of the new web site, Actio can offer industry and govenment the first web based CMS system that is chemical company vendor neutral” stated Russ McCann, President of Actio, “the Actio CMS system provides superior coordination between remote locations of the enterprise enabling information coordination and increased control over all stages of the chemical lifecycle”.

The backbone of the CMS system is Actio’s MSDS Vault, a continuously updated library of close to 1,000,000 manufacturer material safety data sheets stored as unstructured data. The data contained in the MSDS is used to provide the information used by the other portfolio components of the Actio CMS platform for prescreening, tracking volatile organic compounds or reporting on chemical usage.

For companies focused on achieving ISO 14000 goals or measuring performance based on sustainability and “best practices”, the Actio chemical management solution forms a comprehensive environmental information management system that enables cost effective analysis and management of the issues contributing to the triple bottom line.

About Actio Corporation

Since 1996, Actio has been helping companies and millions of their employees, in a wide range of industries, cost-effectively manage the complexities surrounding the use of chemicals in the workplace. Actio is a leading provider of chemical management solutions delivered as an ASP (application service provider). Our chemical management portfolio manages all phases of the chemical life cycle, enables corporations to use a “best practices” approach to chemical handling and manages the regulatory requirements surrounding the use of chemicals in the workplace. For more information about Actio Corporation, visit http://www.actio.net.

MSDS VAULT, ACTIO REGULATOR and INTELLIGENTEXT are registered trademarks of Actio Corporation. MSDSXCHANGE, ACTIO GATEKEEPER, MSDS VAULT LABELMAKER are trademarks of Actio Corporation 2004. All Rights Reserved. Other trademark names are used only in an editorial fashion, and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark.

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.







Spectrum Chemicals Announced New Expanded Line of Kosher Chemicals

Posted by on December 23, 2010 1 comment

Spectrum Chemicals Announced New Expanded Line of Kosher Chemicals











Over 50 Kosher Products Available From Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp.


New Brunswick, NJ (PRWEB) April 11, 2011

Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp. (http://www.SpectrumChemical.com) announced that they have an expanded line of Kosher and Pareve Certified Products available. The products are supervised by Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon, Kosher Administrator for the Kosher Supervision of America. The KSA is a not-for-profit Kashrus agency and is the largest, recognized and accepted, Orthodox kosher certification agency based in the western USA. To learn more about Spectrum’s Kosher Products call 1-800-901-5516.

“Spectrum-labeled kosher products with the Kosher Supervision of America symbol is a firm guarantee to all Spectrum customers that the products bearing the symbol are in full compliance with the most demanding of kosher standards. You can be sure that your products will be marketable, enjoying the same status, recognition and acceptance, as any other reliably certified kosher product,” says Tom Tyner, VP Quality & Technical Service for Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp.

About Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp.

Founded in 1971, Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp. manufactures and distributes fine chemicals in laboratory and production quantities. Spectrum’s chemical offering consists of over 15,000 active pharmaceutical ingredients (API’s), excipients, biochemicals, dietary supplements, cosmetic ingredients, analytical reagents, and chemical solutions. Spectrum’s ISO 9001:2008 certified facilities are FDA registered and operate under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). For more information visit http://www.SpectrumChemical.com.

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Vocus©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.