CUPA - CERTIFIED UNIFIED PROGRAM AGENCY

How does HHSA work with the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA)?

The Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) unifies and consolidates under one roof the various requirements for businesses handling hazardous materials, generating or treating hazardous wastes, or operating underground storage tanks. The overall goal of the CUPA is to reduce duplication of various regulatory requirements involving hazardous materials and wastes, and to simplify compliance for the regulated public. The requirements for application, certification, and evaluation of CUPA are found in Health & Safey Code Chapter 6.11 and California Code of Regulations, Title 27, Division 1, Subdivision 4, Chapter 1. The Environmental Health Division was certified as a CUPA in December, 1996. The following six programs comprise the CUPA:

• Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) Program Spill Control and Countermeasure Plan and requirements
• California Accidental Release Prevention (CalARP) Program
• Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans & Inventory (Business Plan)
• Hazardous Waste Generator and Onsite Hazardous Waste Treatment (Tiered Permit)
• Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program
• Hazardous Material Inventory Requirements of Article 80 of the Uniform Fire Code.

What annual inspections are required?

The governing regulations require the CUPA to perform annual inspections of UST facilities, and triennial inspections of Business Plan, CalARP, and Onsite Hazardous Waste Treatment facilities. There are no mandatory inspection frequencies for the other program areas.