AHMP History

The 1970s and 1980s saw a proliferation of environmental, safety and health laws and the rapid expansion of the hazardous materials management profession.

Given these circumstance, the non-profit credentialing organization Institute for Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) recognized a need for trained and credentialed professionals to be at the forefront of developing strategies and standard practices for properly handling hazardous materials to protect the public and the environment. And thus, the IHMM established the CHMM® certification program in 1984. A hazardous materials professional’s CHMM® credential signifies to government, employers and the public that he or she is uniquely qualified to properly manage hazardous materials to safeguard the environment and to protect public health, safety and welfare.

In 1995, ACHMM, today known as the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals™, was incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization. Today, through an affiliation agreement, ACHMM and IHMM work together to guarantee the success of individual CHMMs and the CHMM® program.

In December 2008, the ACHMM membership voted to change the name of the organization to the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP). The new brand identity comprises the new organizational name; a modern logo; and a tagline: “Global leadership for a sustainable future™”.

Today with more than 4,000 members—represented by 56 chapters in 37 states—the membership association is focused on its vision of becoming the recognized global leader and resource for hazardous materials professionals.