To reduce the risk of more than 300 chemicals of interest (COI) being weaponized, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program identifies and regulates high-risk chemical facilities to ensure appropriate security measures are in place. Under CFATS, a chemical facility is “any establishment that possesses or plans to possess certain chemicals, at any relevant point in time …” and can be a large company or a single individual. If in possession of a COI at or above the screening threshold quantity (STQ) and minimum concentration listed in Appendix A of the CFATS regulation, facilities must report those chemicals to CISA within 60 days, regardless of how long the facility possesses COI. Facilities that may possess ammonia (anhydrous) include, but are not limited to, agricultural suppliers, electric generation facilities, chemical manufacturers, and cold storage facilities, among others.
Ammonia (anhydrous) is a COI under CFATS. Ammonia (anhydrous) is a Release-Toxic chemical—meaning, if intentionally released, it has the potential to create a toxic cloud that could affect populations within and beyond the facility. The STQ for ammonia (anhydrous) is 10,000 lb. Failure to report the possession of a COI at or above the STQ can be subject to civil penalties.
CFATS Resources for Facilities with Ammonia (Anhydrous)
CFATS First Steps: If the quantity and concentration of ammonia (anhydrous) at a facility meet or exceed those listed in Appendix A, the facility has 60 days from the time of possession to report those chemicals via an online survey called a Top-Screen.
Get started by visiting cisa.gov/cfats-process to learn more about how to comply with CFATS.
Learn more about Chemical-terrorism Vulnerability Information (CVI) and complete CVI Authorized User training to access CISA’s Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT) (cisa.gov/chemical-terrorism-vulnerability-information).
Go to the Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT) at csat-registration.dhs.gov to register the facility/facilities.
Once registered, you can use CSAT to report COI to CISA at csat.dhs.gov/industry. How should a facility report ammonia (anhydrous) that undergoes various changes in temperature, pressure, and physical state within a refrigeration system? The total mass quantity within the system and the physical state, temperature, and pressure of the ammonia as it exists in the vessel(s) downstream of the condenser(s) should be reported. To learn more, visit the CFATS Knowledge Center at csat-help.dhs.gov.
Agricultural Production Facilities: The agricultural production facility extension does not apply to agricultural production facilities that use ammonia (anhydrous) for refrigeration, or if the facility is a retailer, distributor, or warehouse. Agricultural facilities possessing ammonia (anhydrous) at or above STQ for such purposes should still report their inventory to CFATS. The extension may apply if the facility uses the COI in direct treatment to their crops. Visit cisa.gov/publication/cfats-agricultural-production-facilities to learn more.
Contact the CSAT Help Desk for technical assistance at 1-866-323-2957 or at [email protected].
Learn more about the CFATS program at cisa.gov/cfats, including the CFATS regulation, list of COI, frequently asked questions, how facilities’ information is protected, and more. Please note that ammonia with a concentration of 20 percent or greater is also listed as a COI in Appendix A. It has an STQ of 20,000 lb. Learn more by visiting cisa.gov/appendix-chemicals-interest.
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