An official attempts to clear away spectators from shattered buildings in the center of Oslo. (AP photo/Fartein Rudjord)

(CNSNews.com) - The Homeland Security Department on Tuesday announced the creation of an Ammonium Nitrate Security Program, which is intended to prevent terror attacks like the ones perpetrated by Timothy McVeigh in Oklahoma City in 1995; and more recently, by a Norwegian man in Oslo. 

Press reports say that Anders Breivik, like McVeigh, allegedly used ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer, in combination with fuel oil -- packing it into a van and blowing up a government building housing the prime minister’s office.

"In today's ever-evolving threat environment, we must continually reinforce the security of substances, such as ammonium nitrate, which can be used for legitimate purposes or exploited by terrorists," Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement announcing publication of the new regulation in the federal register.

"Creating the Ammonium Nitrate Security Program is a critical step forward in our continued efforts to ensure the security of potentially dangerous amounts of ammonium nitrate, while still facilitating legitimate everyday use."

Ammonium nitrate is primarily used in fertilizers, first aid products, and commercial explosives used in the construction and mining industries.

DHS said it plans to regulate the sale and transer of ammonium nitrate -- "while decreasing the burden" on those who buy it for legitimate purposes.

The new rule will require U.S. purchasers of ammonium nitrate to prove they hae a "legitimate use" for it. It also would require those selling ammonium nitrate to retain records and report the theft or loss of the chemical to federal authorities within 24 hours of discovery.

The Ammonium Nitrate Security Program is the latest in a series of government efforts to protect the nation from of the chemical. DHS noted that the new program "builds on other DHS efforts already established" to protect Americans from fertilizer bombs.

According to DHS, "The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program regulates the security of high-risk chemical facilities, while the Bomb Making Awareness Program and the Voluntary Chemical Assessment Tool (VCAT) help businesses identify suspicious purchases and help owners and operators to assess their facilities' risk."

And that's not all: In cooperation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, DHS co-sponsors the "America's Security Begins With You" Program, which encourages ammonium nitrate suppliers to report suspicious activity. This complements the "National Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative," which provides vendors with the means to report suspicious transactions to law enforcement.