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Electronic Reporting

Environmental Health Services

Divisions / Environmental Health Services / Permits & Business Services / Hazardous Materials Program/Countywide Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) / Electronic Reporting

Electronic submission of the Hazardous Materials Business Plans (HMBPs) and Underground Storage Tank (UST) information is required (AB 2286, Feuer) by submission via the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) established by CalEPA. Historically, San Mateo County businesses had two options for electronic submissions: the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services Public Portal (EHS Portal) and CERS.

The EHS Portal is now set to “read only” and will no longer allow new electronic submissions. To submit your HMBP or other electronic forms, you will need to do so via CERS. Past submission data has been uploaded from the EHS Portal to CERS. Please contact your district inspector if this is not the case.

Please note: If you are a consultant, you must submit the Electronic Reporting Lead User Authorization Form or other proof of authorization before being allowed to access a facility on CERS.

Steps to Get Started

  1. If needed, create a CERS account by going to “CERS Central” and selecting “Business Portal Sign In.” Then, select the option to “Create a New Account.” Follow the instructions on the “Create Your CERS Account” screen.
  2. If you have previously submitted an HMBP using the EHS Portal, you will have an existing facility record and CERS ID. Click “Request Access to an Existing CERS Business” to search for your facility/business.
  3. Review your search results to determine if your facility or business is shown and select the “Request Access…” link. Otherwise, select the “My Facility Not Shown” button and the “Add New Business to CERS” option.
  4. Wait for your district inspector to review and approve the business access request.
  5. Complete and submit your CERS electronic submission.

For immediate assistance, contact your district inspector.

FAQs

AB 2286 (Feuer) was passed in 2008, requiring all regulated facilities to electronically enter their data into the statement information system known as the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) effective January 1, 2018.

No. Electronic reporting means that a business uses CERS to enter and submit required information. For multi-jurisdictional businesses, please see the information provided on the CERS business web page.

It depends. If you only complete items marked as required by CERS, some of the data required for an HMBP in Title 27 of the California Code of Regulations and the California Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.95 may be omitted. If you use CERS, EHS requires an Emergency Response Plan, Employee Training Plan and a Site Map to be completed and uploaded to CERS for a complete HMBP submittal.

Electronic reporting will allow:

  • Regulated facilities to more easily update existing information.
  • Emergency response agencies real-time access to current data.
  • Federal, state and local agencies and regulators to have more efficient access to current data.
  • Reduced file space, paper waste and data entry time.

CERS is the only option for managing electronic submissions when you have businesses located in multiple county jurisdictions.

Local public libraries offer free internet access. Contact your local library for information regarding computer availability and internet access.

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