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The University of Texas at Austin Must Respond to Department of Homeland Security Regulation

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a new regulation, the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (6 CFR Part 27) for any facility that manufactures, uses, stores, or distributes any of the listed chemicals above a specified quantity. Colleges and universities must comply with this regulation in a very short time frame by reporting the listed chemicals if the regulatory screening threshold quantities are met. Since reporting requirements are based on aggregate amounts on campus, individual laboratories or other locations are not exempt from reporting as even small quantities must be factored in to the campus total. A complete list of these chemicals (PDF) is available.

The Environmental Health & Safety Department (EHS) will begin collecting inventory information for this list of chemicals beginning mid-December, 2007. Inventory information must be reported for research and teaching laboratories, storerooms and stockrooms, and other laboratory-associated locations where chemicals are used or stored as well as all other areas of campus. EHS plans to provide an automated tool for entry of this selected inventory information.

Inventory information for this list of chemicals will need to be submitted to EHS no later than January, 2008 in order to comply with Homeland Security requirements.

Since the threshold reporting quantity for certain chemicals is quite small, we recommend disposing of unwanted materials through the EHS regulated waste pick up system. A list of the chemicals with these low threshold quantities is available. The request must be made by approximately January 7, 2008 to avoid DHS reporting requirements.

We recognize the challenging time frame involved and appreciate your support and cooperation in ensuring that the information is reported in a timely and accurate manner to avoid possible actions from the Department of Homeland Security. Details for accessing the automated reporting tool for academic/research areas and further instructions for completion of the inventory will be sent in a future message.

For additional information about this rule contact the EHS Assistant Director — Compliance, Chip Rogers at crogers@mail.utexas.edu.

For information about chemical disposal contact EHS Assistant Director, Nena Anderson at 512-471-2044 or Safety Specialist John Oldag at 512-475-9738.