Agricultural Handlers

Document TitleDescriptionDocument TypeAudienceDate
Consolidated emergency contingency plan template (Revised)The consolidated emergency contingency plan template provides a basic emergency response plan and a basic training plan for an average small to mid-size regulated facility.UP Guidance Letter 17-01
5/9/17
Business Regulator5/9/2017
Regulation of Agricultural Handlers Under the Unified ProgramSpecific and non-specific exemptionsexist for agricultural handlers in four Unified Program elements: Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans (HMRRP) and Inventories (Business Plan), California Accidental Release Prevention (CalARP), Hazardous Waste Generator, and Underground Storage Tank Programs.UP Bulletin 0405-02Business Regulator12/13/2004
Agricutural Handlers ExemptionClarifies the statutory and regulatory exemptions that apply to agricultural businesses under the Unified Program: Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans Inventory (Business Plan/HMRRP), California Accidental Release Prevention (CalARP), Hazardous Waste Generator, Underground Storage Tank, and Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) Programs.UP Guidance Letter 13-04Regulator3/19/2013

Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA)

Document TitleDescriptionDocument TypeAudienceDate
Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tank Facility Statement Reporting RequirementsDo I have to file an Aboveground Storage Tank Facility Statement if I have already reported a hazardous Materials Business Plan?FAQBusiness7/1/2022
Is My Facility Regulated Under APSA?How do I know if my facility is regulated under the Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) and what types of aboveground storage tanks, containers and equipment are regulated under APSA?FAQBusiness7/1/2022
Should I file an SPCC Plan in CERS?Should I file a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan in CERS?FAQBusiness11/24/2014
Preparing an APSA SubmittalHow do I complete and submit the Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) submittal after April 1, 2019?FAQBusiness7/1/2022

Compliance, Monitoring, Enforcement (CME)

Document TitleDescriptionDocument TypeAudienceDate
How to Report Non-Inspection Related ViolationsHow should non-inspection violations be reported in CERS?FAQRegulator3/26/2014
Reporting Statewide Compliance Activities?How should inspections, violations, and enforcement relating to statewide enforcement cases be reported in CERS?FAQRegulator9/5/2014
Formal Enforcement SummaryDoes the completion of the Enforcement Summary in CERS meet the requirement to submit a formal enforcement report to CalEPA for each case that has received a final judgement?FAQRegulator1/15/2015
Formal Enforcement Action Guidance for Environmental ViolationsClarifies the Unified Program’s standards regarding how to determine whether a California Unified Program (CUPA) is taking appropriate enforcement actions where severe violations are identified. In order to comply with the requirements of both federal and state program mandates, CalEPA shall require that CUPAs implement a consistent enforcement response that is in compliance with the individual program requirements and CalEPA regulations.UP Bulletin 0910-02Business Regulator3/29/2010
Reporting of Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement (CME) DataCalifornia Code of Regulations, Title 27 now defines the compliance monitoring, inspection, violation and enforcement (CME) data that each CUPA is required to submit for each program element. Reports of CME data are required to be submitted electronically to CERS within 30 days of each completed quarter per fiscal year.UP Guidance Letter 14-02Regulator1/17/2014
Reporting Re-inspections and Related ViolationsHow should I report re-inspections or follow up inspections? How should I report related violations?FAQRegulator10/3/2014
How to Report Multi-Day Inspection in CERSHow should multi-day inspections be reported in CERS?FAQRegulatorUPDATED 3/12/2015
Creating a Facility to Report CME DataHow do I report CME data for a facility that is not in CERS?FAQRegulatorUPDATED 10/31/2014
Citation for Failure to Report Unitfied Program InformationHow should Unified Program Agencies (UPAs) cite violations for failure to report Unified Program information?FAQRegulatorUPDATED 5/18/2015

Electronic Reporting

Document TitleDescriptionDocument TypeAudienceDate
PA to CUPA Electronic Reporting RelationshipTo establish the long term electronic information reporting relationship between CalEPA, CUPAs and their Participating Agency (PAs).UP Bulletin 1011-01Regulator4/8/2011
California Environmental Reporting SystemEffective Jan.1, 2013, all Unified Program related data must be reported electronically. This policy covers responsibilities and actions of CUPAs, PAs and CalEPA as partners regarding the use of CERS. It is essential that CalEPA, CUPAs and PAs have defined roles and responsibilities to ensure that statewide electronic reporting operates efficiently and effectively.UP Bulletin UP-13-02Business Regulator1/28/2013
Prioritizing Regulated Businesses Electronic Submission of Unified Program InformationThis guidance letter provides a tool for UPAs to help guide the use of resources in systematically obtaining the required chemical inventory information from regulated businesses. To assist UPAs with prioritizing the use of resources to help in getting businesses to report into CERS, CalEPA compiled the attached Chemicals of Concern Prioritization Table to identify the hazardous materials that pose the highest risk. Chemicals of Concern Prioritization Table:https://calepa.ca.gov/CUPA/Bulletins/2014/Feb12Attach.docUP Guidance Letter 14-05Regulator2/12/2014
Adding a New User (Business with Two or More Facilities)This document shows how to add a new person/user to your CERS business, if they do not already have a CERS account.FAQBusinessUPDATED 7/5/2013

Facility Management

Document TitleDescriptionDocument TypeAudienceDate
Requesting Access to an Existing CERS Business/FacilityThis brief document explains how to request access to an existing business/facility in CERs to begin reporting on the business/facility.FAQBusinessUPDATED 4/19/2019
Adding Your First New FacilityIf you have searched CERS and determined that your facility is not in CERs, you can follow this guide to create it.FAQBusinessUPDATED 7/5/2013
How to Change a Facility AddressIf your facility address has changed (e.g. the street has been renamed) or you need to correct a previous data entry error follow these stepsHelp GuideBusiness10/3/2014

General

Document TitleDescriptionDocument TypeAudienceDate
Adding a New User (Business with Two or More Facilities)This brief document shows how to add a new person/user to your CERS business if they do not already have a CERS account.FAQBusinessUPDATED 7/5/2013
Generic Email Accounts for Business Users in CERSThis policy covers the requirements needed for an appropriate email format for CERS business users and the rationale for not using generic email accounts.UP Policy Memo 13-06Business6/28/2013
Download Business User Email AccountsHow can I obtain a list of the email contact information for all regulated facilities in my jurisdiction?FAQRegulatorUPDATED 10/2/2014
CME Reporting for Statewide Enforcement CasesHow should CME data for statewide enforcement cases be reported in CERS?FAQRegulator9/5/2014
Reporting Enforcement for all ViolationsShould an Enforcement Action be Reported in CERS for Every Violation?FAQRegulator10/27/2015
Reporting Re-inspections and Related ViolationsHow should I report re-inspections or follow up inspections? How should I report related violations?FAQRegulator10/3/2014
Creating a Facility to Report CME DataHow do I report CME data for a facility that is not in CERS?FAQRegulatorUPDATED 10/31/2014
Formal Enforcement SummaryDoes the completion of the Enforcement Summary in CERS meet the requirement to submit a formal enforcement report to CalEPA for each case that has received a final judgement?FAQRegulator1/15/2015
Reporting Multiple Identical ViolationsHow should multiple identical violations be reported in CERS: as a single violation with multiple instances or as multiple violations?FAQRegulator10/28/2015
Determining Unified Program Element Regulated Facility CountsFind counts of regulated facilities for an Unified Program element by using the search criteria.FAQRegulator6/22/2015
Citations for Failure to Report Unified Program InformationHow should Unified Program Agencies (UPAs) cite violations for failure to report Unified Program information?FAQRegulatorUPDATED 5/18/2015
Reporting Escalated ViolationsHow should violations raised to a higher class be reported in CERS?FAQRegulator10/27/2015
How to Report Non-Inspection Related ViolationsHow should non-inspection violations be reported in CERS?FAQRegulator3/26/2014
How to Report Multi-Day Inspections in CERSHow should multi-day inspections be reported in CERS?FAQRegulatorUPDATED 3/12/2015
Onsite Maintenance of Required Unified Program InformationIf required Unified Program information can be readily accessed onsite by facility staff and UPA inspectors through electronic means, it is not necessary for a regulated business to also maintain a copy of such information onsite in another format. (i.e. hard or soft copy documents).UP Policy Memo 14-01Business RegulatorREVISED 7/7/2014
Adding Your First New FacilityIf you have searched CERS and determined that your facility is not in CERS, you can follow this guide to create it.FAQBusinessUPDATED 7/5/2013
CERS General Business Portal FAQsA listing of general questions business users have submitted to CERS Technical Support.FAQBusinessUPDATED 10/3/2014
Adding a New Person/User to your CERS BusinessThis brief document shows how to add a new person/user to have access to the facility(s) for your CERS Business.Help GuideBusiness7/5/2013
Submission of Annual Inspection and Enforcement Summary Reports and Annual Single Fee Summary ReportFor information covering Fiscal Year 2012/2013, CUPAs need to continue to submit the Annual Inspection and Enforcement Summary Reports (Reports 3 and 4) and the Annual Single Fee Summary Report (Report 2) via fax, email, or mailed hard copy to CalEPA.UP Guidance Letter 13-05Regulator4/19/2013
What Are the Most Common CERS Reporting Errors?What are the most common CERS reporting errors that CUPAs and PAs see in business submittals to CERS?FAQBusinessUPDATED 1/21/2015

Hazardous Material Business Plan (HMBP)

Document TitleDescriptionDocument TypeAudienceDate
Are Remote Unstaffed Facilities Exempt from Reporting?Are remote unstaffed facilities exempt from electronic reporting requirements?FAQBusinessUPDATED 6/1/2015
Exempt Remote Unstaffed Facility Information in CERSHow should a Unified Program Agency manage exempt remote unstaffed facility information in CERS?FAQRegulatorUPDATED 6/22/2015
Is an HMBP Required to be Submitted Annually?Is a business required to submit the entire Hazardous Materials Business Plan annually and if so when?FAQBusiness10/11/2016
Obsolete Tier Hazard CategoriesWhy are some Fire Hazard Categories no longer available in CERS Chemical Library?FAQBusiness10/3/2014
Reporting for the Hazardous Materials Business Plan Program Below Threshold QuantitiesIf the governing body of a UPA has adopted a local law or ordinance requiring a business to report hazardous materials in quantities below those required by Health and Safety Code, Chapter 6.95, Section 25507, the UPA shall implement and enforce this requirement as part of the local Unified Program.UP Guidance Letter 14-04
9/17/14
Business Regulator9/17/2014
CalEPA Unified Program Policy for Lead Acid Battery Inventory Reporting-Guidance and TemplateTo establish a uniform inventory form and reporting format for lead acid batteries at hazardous materials businesses that CalEPA, local CUPAs, and regulated businesses will be able to use to ensure that critical information about lead acid batteries is consistently collected and reported. A template has been incorporated within CERS as an approved chemical record in the chemical library for use by businesses and CUPAs.UP Policy Memo 11-03
4/28/11
Business Regulator4/28/2011
CalEPA Unified Program Policy for Hazard
Classification: Solids and Liquids
To provide guidance to be used by CalEPA,
CUPAs and regulated businesses to ensure
that critical information about regulated solids and liquids are consistently collected and reported. The Hazardous Materials Business Plan Technical
Advisory Group and the Hazardous Materials Steering Committee developed a standard for classifying
solids and liquids.
UP Policy Memo
11-07
6/7/12
Business Regulator6/7/2012
CalEPA Unified Program Policy for Hazard Classification: Gases- Guidance for Hazard ClassificationTo provide guidance to be used by CalEPA, CUPAs and regulated businesses to ensure that critical information about regulated gases are consistently collected and reported. The Hazardous Materials Business Plan Technical Advisory Group and the Hazardous Materials Steering Committee developed a standard for classifying compressed gases.UP Policy Memo 11-06
6/7/12
Business Regulator6/7/2012
Annual Hazardous Materials Inventory CertificationCan a business annually submit only the Facility Information submittal element with a comment that there has been no change to the Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement (HMIS) to meet the requirement for an annual resubmittal or certification?FAQBusinessUPDATED 8/20/2014
Policy for Hazardous Materials Inventory Reporting TimingThis policy confirms that electronic reporting meets both state and federal reporting requirements and clarifies the reporting timing requirements to allow local agencies reasonable flexibility in determining effective and efficient local reporting timing and to encourage reporting consistency statewide. Supersedes Policy Memo UP-13-01.UP Guidance Letter 15-01
9/1/15
Business Regulator9/1/2015
CalEPA Unified Program Policy for Hazardous Materials Inventory Reporting TimingThis policy confirms that electronic reporting meets both state and federal reporting requirements and clarifies the reporting timing requirements to allow local agencies reasonable flexibility in determining effective and efficient local reporting timing and to encourage reporting consistency statewide.Superseded by UP Guidance Letter 15-01.UP Policy Memo 13-01
1/2/13
Business Regulator1/2/2013

Hazardous Waste

Document TitleDescriptionDocument TypeAudienceDate
Hazardous Waste Periodic Waste Generation - How to answer Business Activities questionsQuestions related to sites that use a Temporary EPA ID or that rarely, but routinely, generate hazardous waste.FAQBusiness12/30/2017
How should a Hazardous Waste Remote Site Answer Business Activities Related Questions?Are remote hazardous waste sites that comply with applicable rules required to answer "Yes" to the Business Activities Question: "Does your facility generate hazardous waste"?FAQBusiness12/29/2017
Hazardous Waste Remote Waste GenerationShould a CUPA mark “Yes” on the CERS Regulator Portal Facility Summary Page under the title “Remote Site” for hazardous waste remote sites where waste is produced?FAQRegulator11/17/2017

Submittals

Document TitleDescriptionDocument TypeAudienceDate
HMBP No Change SubmittalsHow to make an HMBP-related submittal when there have been no changes from the previous submittal.FAQBusiness10/7/2015
Making a Submittal from a Previous SubmittalHow do I make a submittal if there have been no changes from my last submittal?FAQBusinessUPDATED 11/6/2014
Downloading Submittal Review CommentsHow can I find and download inspector submittal review comments?FAQRegulatorUPDATED 5/15/2014
Accepting the Facility Information Submittal ElementHow should a submittal be processed if the facility submittal element is not acceptable but other submittal elements are? Can the Facility Information submittal status be set to Not Accepted and the others are set to Accepted?FAQRegulator1/20/2015
Setting “Accepted” Submittal StatusWhat criteria should be considered for accepting a submittal?FAQRegulatorUPDATED 1/28/2015
Should New Construction Permitting Process Include CERS?Should a UPA require a CERS submittal as part of new construction permitting and plan checking?FAQRegulator3/2/2015
Can Submittals be Deleted?Can submittals be deleted from CERS? What if a submittal was submitted to the wrong facility (CERS ID)?FAQRegulatorUPDATED 12/19/2014
Is a Submittal Required for New Construction or Tenant Improvements?Should a CERS Submittal be required as part of a new construction or tenant improvement project permitting process?FAQRegulator3/5/2015
Submittals Made By Military or Other Federal Government Operated Facilities in CERSThis guidance letter provides instruction on how the UPA should process CERS electronic Business Plan submittals from federal or government operated facilities.UP Guidance Letter 14-07
2/28/14
Regulator2/28/2014
CalEPA United Program Policy for Federal Facility Payment Disputes of General Oversight ChargesCalEPA will not find a CUPA deficient in program implementation for failure to collect the portion of the General Oversight surcharge from federal facilities for the disputed program areas of Fire Code and Business Plan programs. CalEPA is not discouraging any CUPA from taking appropriate action to enforce collection of the General Oversight surcharge should it choose to do so. To aid CalEPA in determining the extent of the dispute, federal refusal to pay must be reported to the CalEPA Unified Program by the CUPAs. Rescinds UP Bulletin 0910-01 and 0809-01.UP Guidance Letter 12-01
Revised 7/27/17
RegulatorAmended 10/31/2013

Surcharge

Document TitleDescriptionDocument TypeAudienceDate
Federal Facility Payment Disputes of General Oversight SurchargesThis bulletin addresses the issue of disputed state surcharge assessments on federal Department of Defense (DOD) facilities, which also includes the increase to the General Oversight surcharge authorized by Assembly Bill 2286 (Feuer) signed into law by the Governor on Sept. 29, 2008. Rescinded by UP Guidance Letter 12-01. Rescinds UP Bulletin 0607-01.UP Bulletin 0910-01
3/29/10
Recinded by UP Guidance Letter 12-01
Regulator3/29/2010
Department of Defense Facility Fee Payment GuideCUPAs required to use a Single Fee System to assess and collect fees from regulated facilities, including those owned by the federal government. For the Business Plan and California Fire Code programs, the Department of Defense (DOD) has asserted there is not clear waiver of sovereign immunity in federal law. Payment of fees associated with these programs by DOD has been disputed and most DOD facilities have refused to pay these fees. Also see: Opinion No. 07-312 Letter to the AG Office https://calepa.ca.gov/CUPA/Bulletins/2007/Opinion07312.pdf0809-01
6/29/09
Recinded by UP Guidance Letter 0910-01
RegulatorREVISED 9/25/2009
CalEPA Unified Program Policy for the Single Fee System and the Fee Accountability ProgramTo clarify the single fee system and fee accountability program requirements for UPAs and State agencies with Unified Program responsibilities.UP Policy Memo 11-04
6/1/11
Regulator6/1/2011

Underground Storage Tank (UST)

Document TitleDescriptionDocument TypeAudienceDate
UST Related FAQsLink will direct you to the State Water Resources Control Board’s webpage for CERS related UST FAQs and guidanceFAQBusinessREVISED 5/25/2021

Unified Program Bulletins