Emergency preparedness and security are cornerstones of NOVA Chemicals' Responsible Care program. Our emphasis is on prevention, but as a chemical manufacturer we recognize that each facility must be ready to respond to crisis situations in order to protect the safety of our workers, the community and the environment. The company's Emergency Preparedness and Security Council ensures that we have appropriate plans and procedures in place to manage security issues, emergencies or crises at all facilities.

NOVA Chemicals continues to improve its physical security, emergency preparedness, and integrated global security standards. All of our facilities are regularly assessed against these enhanced standards through internal programs and audits. In an ongoing effort to further improve security at our facilities, we:

• Identify and evaluate gaps in physical security, cyber-security and security procedures on a scheduled basis.
• Close gaps with appropriate countermeasures.
• Verify the effectiveness of countermeasures through the use of independent third parties.

In partnership with other chemical producers, we also work to develop best-in-class security practices for the chemical industry. Since the American Chemistry Council's (ACC) formal approval of the Responsible Care Security Code for all member companies in June 2002, NOVA Chemicals and fellow ACC members have completed rigorous security vulnerability assessments. In 2007, all ACC member companies were required to re-pledge their ongoing commitment to the Security Code by signing a Security Code Reaffirmation statement which states that companies continue to maintain their Responsible Care Security Code implementation for facility, value chain and cyber security interests at all company chemical operations. NOVA Chemicals is currently in compliance with all aspects of the ACC’s security codes.

The Responsible Care Security Code is widely recognized by the Department of Homeland Security and state and local governments as a model for the chemical industry and other U.S. industries.

In April of 2004, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge called the Responsible Care Security Code a "model program."

NOVA Chemicals is a corporate sponsor of the Pittsburgh Regional Business Coalition for Homeland Security. This organization is dedicated to assisting businesses in Western Pennsylvania prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters, technological disasters, or terror attacks. The vision of the Pittsburgh Regional Business Coalition for Homeland Security is to make the Pittsburgh region the safest in America.

For additional information about security in the chemical industry, please refer to the chemical industry security section of the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care performance website and their media kit on security.