Education, Process Improvements & Compliance for Environmental Risk Reduction (EPIC+) in the Biotechnology and Research & Development (R&D) Industry

The goal of the program is to reduce the most common hazardous waste ,  medical waste  and  hazardous materials  violations found in the Biotech and R&D industry sector. The main objective is to demonstrate that education and outreach can be effective tools in obtaining compliance from the regulated community. 

Eligibility for New Applicants

Biotech and R&D businesses in San Diego that are interested in participating in the program must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to be considered for the EPIC+ program: 

• Have a current Unified Program Facility Permit (UPFP). 
• Complete an  EPIC+ application to the EPIC+ Coordinators
• Have had the same business operator for the last two HMD inspections. A change of ownership may have caused a change in facility operator.
• Have Scored fewer than 15 Points (each) during their last two full CUPA inspections
  • New businesses must have had at least 2 full CUPA inspections to participate. 
  • New facilities under a parent organization are eligible after the initial inspection if the parent business is located in San Diego County, and has achieved EPIC+ performance standards.
• A full CUPA inspection entails all elements as applicable: medical waste, hazardous waste, hazardous materials business plan, APSA, UST.  Abbreviated Large Quantity Medical Waste and Underground Storage Tank inspections do not count toward two full inspections.

Required Performance Standards

 Complete Annual EPIC+ Training Requirement

• Participants must have at least one employee (may not be consultant or vendor) complete the annual training by attending the EPIC+ seminar or completing the online training.
  Previous EPIC+ Workshop Presentations

 Continue to score fewer than 15 points at each full CUPA inspection.

• Businesses already in the program that score 15 or more points during a compliance inspection will be ineligible to continue in the program, but may reapply after undergoing 2 full CUPA inspections scoring fewer than 15 points.
• A full CUPA  inspection entails all elements as applicable: medical waste, hazardous waste, hazardous materials business plan, APSA, UST. Abbreviated Large Quantity Medical Waste and Underground Storage Tank inspections do not count toward two full inspections.

Failure to comply with these standards will terminate EPIC+ fee reduction benefits.