Hazardous Materials & Waste Program: Hazardous Materials Registration

The Hazardous Materials and Waste Program registers businesses that store, handle, or use hazardous materials and monitors these businesses for compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Certificates of Registration must be renewed annually. We also provide information collected from businesses to the Fire Department for use during fires or other incidents involving hazardous wastes.

How do I determine if my business is regulated under the Hazardous Materials and Waste Program?

Please carefully review the Hazardous Materials Registration FAQ (pdf) to see if your business stores, handles or uses hazardous materials.

Business Responsibilities

1. If you open a new business and plan to store or use hazardous materials on site, notify the Hazardous Materials and Waste Program within 30 days.
2. Submit forms and pay fees to obtain a Certificate of Registration.
3. Maintain the Certificate of Registration by submitting renewal forms and paying fees annually.

Obtain a Certificate of Registration

Visit the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) to complete and submit the necessary forms electronically. You will generally have at least 45 days in which to complete the forms. All the required forms and fees must be submitted in order for your application to be considered complete. Failure to submit a complete application by the due date may result in additional fees and penalties which may ultimately lead to formal enforcement.  Application information you have submitted will be verified by your district inspection during the on-site inspection.

When working on your application packet, you should:

1. Make sure to complete all necessary information on the Business Owner Operator Identification Form (BOOIF), Business Activities Declaration Form (BADF) and HMUPA annual certification forms.
2. Collect the information needed to complete the remaining forms: Maps, Emergency Response/contingency plan, Hazardous Materials Inventory and Hazardous Waste inventory statements, training plan and HM Reduction plan.
3. Sign and date all application forms.
4. Send in paperwork and applicable fees prior to the due date to avoid late fees and penalties.
5. Retain copies of the application for your records.

Note: If your business falls under the requirements of any of the other program elements, those forms must also be submitted along with the required forms.

If you have received an application and you have changed your business so that you no longer fall into ANY of the regulated programs, you must complete a Disclaimer Form. Upon receipt of the disclaimer form, a Hazardous Materials Program inspector will conduct an inspection to verify the disclaimer.

Renew a Certificate of Registration

A renewal application will be sent to the facility about 45 days before the Compliance Certificate/Permit to Operate expires. The forms listed below will be included in your renewal packet: 

• Cover Letter
• Hazardous Materials Unified Program Agency Annual Certification Form
• Business Owner Operator Identification Form
• Business Activities/Summary Statement
• Invoice and Fee Calculation Form

When you receive your application packet, you should:

1. Verify that the information provided on the Business Owner Operator Identification Form (BOOIF), Business Activities/Summary Statement and annual certification forms are accurate.
2. Determine if there have been changes to anything at your business that requires specific program element forms to be updated.
3. Print out and update all applicable forms.
4. Send in paperwork and applicable fees prior to the due date to avoid late fees and penalties.
5. Retain copies of the application for your records.

Note: If your business is regulated under the requirements of any of the other Hazardous Materials Pprogram elements, those forms must also be submitted.

If you received a renewal application and you have changed your business so that you no longer fall into ANY of the regulated programs, you must complete a Disclaimer Form. Upon receipt of the Disclaimer Form, a Hazardous Materials Program inspector will conduct an inspection to verify the disclaimer.

If any information submitted on the forms listed below has changed, you must submit new/updated forms along with the required renewal forms.

Required forms for Hazardous Materials Registration Renewal*

• Business Owner /Operator Identification Form
• Business Activities/Summary Statement
• Invoice and Fee Calculation
• *Other forms may be required if you have made changes at your business since submitting your initial application.

Making a Complaint

To make a complaint to the Department of Public Health's Environmental Health Section, click here.