Accreditation and Credential Management Practices For Hazardous Materials Professionals

The continuous evolution of regulations involving the safe management and handling of hazardous materials and dangerous goods worldwide brings with it a series of challenges.  Professionals working in the field are faced daily with new technologies, new regulatory requirements, and uncertain economic times where “doing more with less” is the norm.  Under these circumstances, maintaining a high threshold of safety in managing, shipping and transporting hazardous materials and dangerous goods can be a challenge, and finding qualified experienced professionals in the field can be difficult as well.  The Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) offers accredited credential to verify competencies and best practices of hazardous materials and dangerous goods professionals, providing a benchmark for industry ensuring levels of safety are maintained or exceeded.  This presentation will also cover best practices for accredited credentials, the aspects of IHMM accreditation and the organization’s international recognition. 

The Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) accreditations--both the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) and the Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner (CHMP)--are accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and meet ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024, the International Standard for Personnel Certification Programs.  The Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB) also accredit CHMM and CHMP.  CHMMs and CHMPs have knowledge of a whole umbrella of environmental management areas such as: Risk Assessment, proper storage and handling, transportation, pollution prevention, waste stream management, impacts on environment, waste minimization, sustainability, emergency response, remediation just to name a few.