A HMBP is a plan that is used to protect public health and safety and the environment. A HMBP also meets the requirements of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) that requires emergency planning and reporting on hazardous and toxic chemicals for federal, state, and local government, tribes, and industry.

The HMBP provides local Unified Program Agencies (UPAs), local fire agencies, and the public with information on hazardous materials handled at businesses in order to prevent or mitigate the damage to the health and safety of persons and the environment from a release or threatened release of hazardous materials into the workplace and environment.

The HMBP is required to be established and implemented by a business that handles a hazardous material at or above a specified threshold. The business must electronically file the HMBP to the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS).

Information from HMBPs is used to assist with emergency responses to a release or threatened release of a hazardous material within a city of a county.