About CERS
The California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) is a statewide, web-based system designed to support businesses and Unified Program Agencies (UPAs) with electronically reporting, collecting, and managing hazardous materials-related data as mandated by the California Health and Safety Code, Section 25404 (e)(2-5).
CERS must be used to electronically submit the Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP), Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) Tank Facility Statement, and the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Monitoring Plan. Documents that are uploaded into CERS must be uploaded as a PDF.
CERS HELP DESK
San Bernardino County’s CERS Help Desk is available to assist businesses in CERS technical questions.
For questions specific to regulatory requirements, such as what needs to be added to the Hazardous Materials Inventory, contact the Main Office and ask to speak to a Hazardous Materials Specialist.
Getting Started
Follow these steps to begin submitting your CUPA information electronically through CERS.
- Requirements to Access CERSRequirements to Access CERS
- Creating a CERS Business AccountCreating a CERS Business Account
- CERS Access RequestsCERS Access Requests
- CERS Transfer RequestCERS Transfer Request
The following is required to properly access and submit on CERS
A valid email address is required to create and activate a CERS account. If you don’t have an email address, there are a number of free email account services available. For more information, contact the CERS Help Desk.
Internet Access
CERS is web-based so internet access is necessary to access the website.
Web Browser
If the web browser is outdated, certain functions in CERS, such as the option to upload inventory from a spreadsheet, may not function correctly.
Create a CERS Account
- Visit the CERS Business Portal and select “Create New Account.” Each person must have his/her own account.
- Enter all required information and select “Create My Account.”
- An email will be sent to the account entered in the previous step. Verification of email will be required prior to accessing the CERS account.
Contact Us
After creating the CERS account, contact the CERS Help Desk to obtain access to the CERS facility account.
CERS Access Requests
If the Lead User for your business has changed, email a completed CERS Access Request Form the CERS Help Desk.
CERS Transfer Request
Facilities that have changed ownership or facilities that have started a new business at a location where a CERS ID number has been established must submit a CERS Transfer Request on CERS to transfer the CERS ID number to current organization. In addition, submit a signed CERS Transfer Request Form to CERS Help Desk.
CERS Elements: What to Submit
CERS submissions are separated into Elements. The Facility Element is submitted with every submission, but all other Elements may be submitted separately or in combination with other Elements.
Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP)
In San Bernardino County, all businesses subject to any CUPA program is required to submit the Facility, Inventory, and Plans Elements, which make up the Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP). Facilities subject to the Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) Program are required to submit or certify the Business Plan in CERS by March 1st of every year. Review, update and recertify the HMBP annually. Handlers in San Bernardino County are encouraged to submit their HMBP between January 1st and March 1st to comply with the annual submittal/certification requirements. The follow (3) elements are a part of the HMBP:
- Facility Information (Facility)Facility Information (Facility)
- Hazardous Materials Inventory (Inventory)Hazardous Materials Inventory (Inventory)
- Emergency Response & Training Plans (Plans)Emergency Response & Training Plans (Plans)
This element is a part of the Hazardous Materials Business Plan and must be submitted with every CERS submittal, even if it is a partial CERS submittal.
Business Activities
- The questions are used to determine the Elements that are required.
Business Owner/Operator Identification
- Enter all Contact information in this section.
- Owner Information: If the owner is an entity (e.g. corporation, LLC, etc), then enter the information for the entity.
- Billing Contact: All contact regarding billing, including the invoice, will be sent to the billing contact.
- Environmental Contact: This is the point of contact for regulatory compliance. Inspection Reports will be addressed to this contact, as well as UST Plan Check Permits. It is suggested that the contact be an employee of the owner instead of a contractor or consultant.
This section is also a part of the Hazardous Materials Business Plan. The Inventory also meets the requirements of the Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act Tank Statement, the Hazardous Materials Management Plan (Fire Code) and the Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement (Fire Code).
Hazardous Materials Inventory
- Add all hazardous materials stored in regulated amounts (typically 55 gallons, 500 pounds, 200 cubic feet).
- If Trade Secret is selected for any chemical, then a Trade Secret Disclosure Form must also be uploaded.
Site Map
- See the Site Map Instructions
- The Site Map must be uploaded on CERS. This jurisdiction does NOT allow the option of “Stored at Facility.”
- The Site Map must be site-specific.
Emergency Response/Contingency Plan
- Upload an Emergency Response Plan (which is a part of Hazardous Materials Business Plan) and a Contingency Plan (for hazardous waste generators).
- The Consolidated Emergency Response / Contingency Plan Template may be used. Note that this template may not meet the requirements for the Contingency Plan for Large Quantity Generators.
- The Emergency Response / Contingency Plan must have the phone number for the 24-Hour Spill Reporting Hotline.
Employee Training Plan
- Upload the training plan.
- If the Consolidated Emergency Response / Contingency Plan template is used to satisfy Employee Training requirements, then select “Provided Elsewhere in CERS.”
Other Elements
The following elements only need to be submitted if the facility is subject to the particular requirement:
- Underground Storage Tanks (UST)Underground Storage Tanks (UST)
- Tiered Permitting (TP)Tiered Permitting (TP)
- Recyclable Materials Report (RMR)Recyclable Materials Report (RMR)
- Remote Waste Consolidation Site Annual Notification (Remote)Remote Waste Consolidation Site Annual Notification (Remote)
- Hazardous Waste Tank Closure Certification (Closure)Hazardous Waste Tank Closure Certification (Closure)
- Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tank (APSA)Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tank (APSA)
Submit this element if the facility is subject to Underground Storage Tank (UST) laws and regulations. UST Owner/Operators are responsible for submitting the following information in CERS. This must be updated annually and within 30 days of a change in information. Visit the State Water Resource Control Board UST Forms Web Page for all required forms.
Please refrain from submitting UST Test Results in CERS. Submit all UST Test Results to usttestresults@sbcfire.org.
UST Facility Operating Permit Application
- Complete all CERS fields.
UST Tank Information/Monitoring Plan (one for each tank)
- Complete one section for each tank.
- If there is a compartmentalized tank, then there should be one tank section for each compartment.
UST Certificate of Installation/Modification
- Complete this section every time there is an installation or replacement of a tank, piping, sump, and/or under dispenser containment (UDC).
- Under “Work Authorized Under Permit,” enter the Service Request Number (SR#) found on the Plan Approval letter provided by this Division.
UST Monitoring Site Plan
- Upload a site-specific map.
- Ensure any symbols used on the map are identified.
- The site map should include the following:
- The location of the UST(s).
- The approximate location of all piping that is part of the UST system.
- The location of the leak detection equipment (e.g. sensors).
- The location of dispensers (if applicable).
- The location of the monitoring panel.
- The location of respective buildings or landmarks where monitoring equipment is located.
- The location of in-tank liquid level probes (if single-walled UST).
- The location of devices monitoring piping.
UST Certification of Financial Responsibility
- Refer to the Financial Responsibility Guide to determine all requirements.
- If the business is exempt from Financial Responsibility requirements, then select “Exempt” and explain the reason for the exemption.
- Otherwise, upload a current and signed UST Certification of Financial Responsibility.
UST Response Plan
- Upload a UST Response Plan.
UST Owner/Operator: Written Agreement
- If the permit holder is the operator, then select “Exempt.”
- If the permit holder is not the tank operator, then upload a signed UST Owner/Operator Written Agreement.
UST Letter from Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- For sites using State Fund and CFO letter as the method of financial responsibility, upload a Letter from the CFO.
Owner Statement of Designated UST Operator Compliance
- The following documents must be uploaded in this section:
- Designated Underground Storage Tank Operator Identification Form: Update this form if the Designated UST Operator changes.
- Statement of Understanding and Compliance: Update this document if the owner or operator changes.
Submit this element if the facility treats hazardous waste onsite Hazardous Waste Treatment (Tiered Permitting).
Tiered Permitting: Facility
- All fields in this section must be complete and accurate.
Submit this element if the facility is subject to Recyclable Materials Report (RMR) requirements.
Recyclable Materials Report Documentation
- Upload a complete and accurate Recyclable Materials Report for excluded or exempted materials.
Submit this element if the facility is a Remote Waste Consolidation Site.
Consolidation Sites
- All fields in this section must be complete and accurate.
Any aboveground tank system or a underground storage tank that previously held a hazardous material or hazardous waste that is being closed by removal or closure in place must submit a Hazardous Waste Tank Closure Notification prior to closure and a Hazardous Waste Tank Closure Certification after the closure.
Closure Certificates
- Aboveground Tank System (ATS)
- The Hazardous Waste Tank Closure Notification Form must be submitted to this Division prior to initiating cleaning, cutting, dismantling, or excavation of an aboveground tank system (ATS) that previously held hazardous materials or hazardous waste. The form can be uploaded and submitted in CERS in this Element of CERS or it can be mailed to the Hazardous Materials Section.
- The Hazardous Waste Tank Closure Certification Form must be uploaded in CERS under this Element.
- Underground Storage Tank (UST)
- Closure of Underground Storage Tanks requires a Plan Review and Approval from this Division.
- For additional information on when and how to submit the forms, contact the UST Front Counter Technician.
Submit this Element if the facility is subject to the Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA).
APSA Facility Information
- All fields in this section must be complete and accurate.
- In determining “Number of Tanks in Underground Area(s),” unlike the UST program, a compartmentalized tank would count as one tank (regardless of the number of compartments).
Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act Documentation
- If a complete Hazardous Materials Inventory is submitted, then select “Provided Elsewhere in CERS” for this section and refer to the Hazardous Materials Inventory Element.
- As an alternative, an APSA Tank Facility Statement can be uploaded in this section.
Refer to CalEPA’s CERS Guidance Document “Preparing an APSA Submittal in CERS (ca.gov)” for more information.
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San Bernardino, CA 92415-0179
