Code of Federal Regulations Title 6. Domestic Security § 6.27.220 Tiering

(a) Preliminary Determination of Risk–Based Tiering. Based on the information the Department receives in accordance with §§ 27.200 and 27.205 (including information submitted through the Top–Screen process) and following its initial determination in § 27.205(a) that a facility presents a high level of security risk, the Department shall notify a facility of the Department's preliminary determination of the facility's placement in a risk-based tier.

(b) Confirmation or Alteration of Risk–Based Tiering. Following review of a covered facility's Security Vulnerability Assessment, the Assistant Secretary shall notify the covered facility of its final placement within a risk-based tier, or for covered facilities previously notified of a preliminary tiering, confirm or alter such tiering.

(c) The Department shall place covered facilities in one of four risk-based tiers, ranging from highest risk facilities in Tier 1 to lowest risk facilities in Tier 4.

(d) The Assistant Secretary may provide the facility with guidance regarding the risk-based performance standards and any other necessary guidance materials applicable to its assigned tier.