Hazardous Materials Business Plan

CalEPA oversees the statewide implementation of the Hazardous Materials Business
Plan (HMBP) program, which aims to prevent or minimize harm to public health and
safety and the environment from a release or threatened release of a hazardous material.

Hazardous Materials Business Plan Program Overview

The Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) aims to prevent or minimize harm to public health and safety and the environment from a release or threatened release of a hazardous material. This is accomplished by providing emergency responders with the necessary information to effectively protect the public.

The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) oversees the implementation of the HMBP program at the state level. Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs), and Participating Agencies (PAs), implement the program at the local level and are responsible for enforcement and administration in their respective jurisdictions.

What is a Hazardous Materials Business Plan?

A HMBP contains detailed information that includes the following:

• An inventory of hazardous materials at a facility.
• Emergency response plans and procedures to be followed in the event of a reportable release or threatened release of a hazardous material.
• Requirements to train employees in safety procedures in the event of a release or threatened release of a hazardous material, including onboarding for new employees and annual refresher courses for existing employees.
• A site map that depicts north orientation, loading areas, internal roads, adjacent streets, storm and sewer drains, access and exit points, emergency shutoffs, evacuation staging areas, hazardous material handling and storage areas, and emergency response equipment.

For more information, see the HMBP Resources page.

HMBP Annual Certification

As of September 18, 2020, business owners/operators may easily certify HMBP information in the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) as complete, accurate and, if applicable, meeting EPCRA reporting requirements.

For further information and guidance, please reference:

• CalEPA’s CERS Portal Help document (pdf).
• Hazardous Materials Business Plan Annual Certification Training Presentation (AB1429) (pdf)
• Hazardous Materials Business Plan Annual Certification (AB1429) Training, January 2021 (pdf)

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