The Chemical Sector is an integral component of the U.S. economy that manufactures, stores, uses, and transports potentially dangerous chemicals upon which a wide range of other critical infrastructure sectors rely. Securing these chemicals against growing and evolving threats requires vigilance from both the private and public sector.
The Department of Homeland Security—identified as the Chemical Sector-Specific Agency (SSA) in Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) 21—leads the Chemical Sector’s public-private partnership and works with companies to develop tools and resources that enhance the sector’s security and resilience.
NOTE: The Chemical SSA is a non-regulatory entity which is separate and distinct from the Department’s regulatory components.
Sector Overview
The Chemical Sector—composed of several hundred thousand U.S. chemical facilities in a complex, global supply chain—converts various raw materials into more than 70,000 diverse products that are essential to modern life. Based on the end product produced, the sector can be divided into five main segments, each of which has distinct characteristics, growth dynamics, markets, new developments, and issues:
- Basic chemicals
- Specialty chemicals
- Agricultural chemicals
- Pharmaceuticals
- Consumer products
Chemical SSA
Because the majority of Chemical Sector facilities are privately owned, the Chemical SSA works closely with the private sector and its industry associations to:
- Set goals and objectives
- Identify assets
- Assess risks and facility security
- Prioritize needs
- Develop tools and resources
- Implement protective programs
- Share information on natural and man-made threats and best practices to mitigate these threats
- Develop effective public-private partnerships between chemical facility owners and operators; industry partners; and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial government officials
Whether the company is an upstream retailer or downstream provider engaging in the transport or manufacturing of basic specialty, agricultural, or pharmaceutical chemicals, the Chemical SSA is a central point of contact for innovative tools and information.
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Sector-Specific Plan
The Chemical Sector-Specific Plan details how the National Infrastructure Protection Plan's risk management framework is implemented within the sector's unique characteristics and risk landscape. Each Sector-Specific Agency develops a sector-specific plan through a coordinated effort involving its public and private sector partners. The Department of Homeland Security is designated as the SSA for the Chemical Sector.
Contact Information
For more information, please send an email to ChemicalSector@hq.dhs.gov.
Safety and Security for Small and Midsize Chemical Facilities
Small and midsize chemical facilities are vital to the Chemical Sector and subject to the same threat environment as their larger counterparts. Working together, both public and private sector partners can improve the cyber and physical security and resilience of the Chemical Sector.
Chemical Sector Publications
The Chemical Sector-Specific Agency has an assortment of publications to assist chemical facility owners and operators increase the security and resilience of the Chemical Sector.
Chemical Sector Resources
The Chemical Sector-Specific Agency provides institutional knowledge and specialized expertise to collaboratively develop, coordinate, and implement voluntary programs to improve security and resilience within the Chemical Sector.
Chemical Sector Training
The Chemical Sector-Specific Agency continues to collaborate with government and sector partners to identify and develop free or low-cost security awareness training and resources that meet the needs of the Chemical Sector.
Chemical Sector Partnerships
Chemical Sector owners and operators have a strong history of working in partnership to develop industry practices that build a culture of safety and security. Read more on how partnerships are enhancing security and resilience in the Chemical Sector.
Chemical Sector Council Partners
DHS serves as a liaison between the private sector, through the Chemical Sector Coordinating Council (SCC), and the public sector, through the Chemical Government Coordinating Council (GCC).
Chemical Sector Security Summit
The Summit is a networking and educational event co-sponsored by CISA and the Chemical SCC to bring together government and industry stakeholders with a shared vision to enhance our Nation’s chemical security.