NAM OPPOSES PROCESS CHANGE MANDATES IN CHEMICAL FACILITIES BILL

November 5, 2009

At press time on November 5, the House of Representatives was planning to vote on a modified version of H. R. 2868, the Chemical Facility Anti-terrorism Act of 2009. The NAM notified all House members prior to floor debate that manufacturers oppose bill language giving the Department of Homeland Security authority “to mandate manufacturing processes or substance changes without any regard for security improvements, practicality, availability or cost.” Chemical companies have invested more than $8 billion in security enhancements already and the proposed changes are not necessary, the NAM told lawmakers. “Such changes would be devastating to the chemical industry, the impact of which would be felt by their customers, including thousands of small and medium manufacturers that use chemicals in their production processes or those that rely on goods manufactured with chemicals,” the NAM wrote. Click here to view the NAM letter.