API Standard Qualifies As Anti-Terrorism Technology In Key DHS Designation

The American Petroleum Institute (API) today announced that API Standard 780, Security Risk Assessment Methodology, has earned designation and certification by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a qualifying anti-terrorism technology under the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act of 2002.

“This DHS action recognizes our industry’s commitment to establish world-class standards that go above and beyond government requirements,” API Segment Standards & Services Vice President Alexa Burr said. “Based on learnings from the September 11th terrorist attacks, API developed Standard 780, which establishes a robust risk assessment process for natural gas and oil facilities, proactively enhancing safety and security for our industry, its workers, and the nation’s infrastructure. We are proud that DHS has approved our standard as an anti-terrorism technology.”

The SAFETY Act designation gives API members, and others that use the risk assessment methodology of API Standard 780, liability protection if a terrorist attack were to occur at one of their facilities.

The SAFETY Act was passed into law in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It provides incentives for the development and deployment of anti-terrorism technologies, while establishing liability limitations for claims resulting from an act of terrorism where Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technologies (QATTs) have been deployed. API Standard 780 will now be listed on the exclusive DHS Approved Products List for Homeland Security, offering value to companies utilizing the risk methodology.

API standards are developed under an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited process, ensuring that the API standards are not only technically rigorous, but also are developed using consensus, due process and balance across stakeholder interests. API’s ANSI accreditation also facilitates acceptance of API standards by state, federal and increasingly international regulators.

About API
API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Our more than 600 members produce, process and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry supports more than ten million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization. In our first 100 years, API has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.