Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM)
the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM), is a not-for-profit organization. IHMM has been protecting the environment and the public’s health, safety, and security through the creation of credentials recognizing professionals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, expertise, and excellence in the management of hazardous materials, dangerous goods transportation, environmental protection, health, and safety.
Company details
Find locations served, office locations
- Business Type:
- Professional association
- Industry Type:
- Health and Safety - Hazardous Substances
- Market Focus:
- Internationally (various countries)
- Year Founded:
- 1984
- Employees:
- 1-10
- Turnover:
- less than 1,000,000 €
About Us
We believe there is only one Earth; our passion is to protect it.
IHMM credentials and competency standards are embraced worldwide
IHMM delivers professional standards of the highest excellence for credentials and administers and promotes accredited credential programs for professionals in the hazardous materials, health, safety, and dangerous goods communities of practice.
Over 17,000 homeland security, environmental protection, engineering, health sciences, transportation, and public safety professionals have earned IHMM’s accredited Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM®) credential. IHMM also administers the Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner (CHMP®), the Certified Dangerous Goods Professional (CDGP®), and the Certified Dangerous Goods Trainer (CDGT®) credentials. IHMM started a pilot program with two universities in 2020 for a new credential, the Student Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (ST/CHMM). In 2019, IHMM acquired ISHM and now manages the Certified Health and Safety Manager [CSHM], Certified Safety Management Practitioner [CSMP], Associate Safety and Health Manager [ASHM], Certified School Safety Specialist [CSSS], and Certified School Safety Manager [CSSM] credentials.
Here, you may join a unique and exceptional group of professionals who are in the top 1% of their communities of practice.
What are Hazardous Materials?
A hazardous material is any item or agent (biological, chemical, radiological, and/or physical), which has the potential to cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment, either by itself or through interaction with other factors. Hazardous materials professionals are responsible for and properly qualified to manage such materials. This includes managing and/or advising other managers on hazardous materials at any point in their life-cycle, from process planning and development of new products; through manufacture, distribution and use; and to disposal, cleanup and remediation.
Hazardous materials are defined and regulated in the United States primarily by laws and regulations administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Each has its own definition of a 'hazardous material.'
OSHA's definition includes any substance or chemical which is a 'health hazard' or 'physical hazard,' including: chemicals which are carcinogens, toxic agents, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers; agents which act on the hematopoietic system; agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes; chemicals which are combustible, explosive, flammable, oxidizers, pyrophorics, unstable-reactive or water-reactive; and chemicals which in the course of normal handling, use, or storage may produce or release dusts, gases, fumes, vapors, mists or smoke which may have any of the previously mentioned characteristics. (Full definitions can be found at 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.1200.)
EPA incorporates the OSHA definition, and adds any item or chemical which can cause harm to people, plants, or animals when released by spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or disposing into the environment. (40 CFR 355 contains a list of over 350 hazardous and extremely hazardous substances.)
DOT defines a hazardous material as any item or chemical which, when being transported or moved in commerce, is a risk to public safety or the environment, and is regulated as such under its Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulations (49 CFR 100-199), which includes the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR 171-180). In addition, hazardous materials in transport are regulated by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code; Dangerous Goods Regulations of the International Air Transport Association; Technical Instructions of the International Civil Aviation Organization; and U.S. Air Force Joint Manual, Preparing Hazardous Materials for Military Air Shipments.
The NRC regulates materials that are considered hazardous because they produce ionizing radiation, which means those materials that produce alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, x-rays, neutrons, high-speed electrons, high-speed protons, and other particles capable of producing ions. This includes 'special nuclear material,' by-product material, and radioactive substances. (See 10 CFR 20).
Hazardous Materials Society
The Hazardous Materials Society was created by the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management as a separate, 501[c][3] non-profit organization with its own Board. No one who participates in any IHMM credential committee also participates in an HMS activity, the two are kept strictly separate as HMS respects the ANSI accredited credentials of IHMM.
HMS is established to provide excellence in education, training, advocacy, information services, meetings and networking in the fields of hazardous materials management, health and safety to raise the level of performance and professionalism among those individuals whose services to their communities create a safer and more sustainable environment.
Proud to Stand With Our Military
You’ve learned some special skills while serving our country. As you consider your options after the service, now is the time to consider a private certification that respects your skills and sends a strong signal to private sector employers about the skills you have and how those skills translate into civilian life.IHMM participates in the military service branch’s Credential Online [COOL] program to help you. Check these DoD sites for your branch and how we can work with you to make the very most of your transition to civilian life. Visit these sites for more information that benefits You. You earned it.
If you require any assistance from IHMM please contact James E. Drosdak [USAF] at jdrosdak@ihmm.org