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Frequently Asked Questions | Compliance Certification in myDEQ

How does the RCO register for myDEQ?

Just a few easy steps to sign up | Learn More >

Is the number of data entry people limited?

No, there can be an unlimited number of data entry people or Delegated Responsible Officers (DROs) on an account | Learn More About User Roles & Responsibilities >

What happens when the RCO changes?

The new responsible official will have to request registration through myDEQ support | Learn More >

Can any user download a copy of the compliance certification for internal review before submittal?

Yes. Multiple users/roles can access the compliance certification simultaneously and will be able to generate PDF copies of a summary page of data entered prior to submitting the compliance certification.

Can I have my consultant and/or lawyer fill out the compliance certification for me?

Yes. The primary responsible official could provide access to a consultant or legal counsel following initial registration. These individuals will have “data entry” roles and will not have the ability to submit reports.

I am a consultant. Will I have to have different accounts for different clients?

No, if different RCOs from different companies add you as a user on their accounts, all the compliance certifications to which you have been assigned will show up on your dashboard when you log in to myDEQ.

Can multiple users work on the certification at the same time?

Yes, but be aware that the system will only save the latest changes made to the certification.

Why are the conditions or requirements listed in a question format?

The system is designed to facilitate certification submittal and allow the permittee to provide additional information as necessary. So, questions are generated based on responses, rather than requiring the permittee to address every single permit condition by replicating the conditions word for word. 

What if my facility did not operate – should I complete the entire certification?

Yes, but the system's first question will skip straight to a summary and submit page when the permittee indicates that the facility did not operate during the compliance period. (Keep in mind that temporary shutdowns do not apply for this purpose.)

How many documents can I upload at a time?

You can upload one document for the supporting document section, one document for the contingency file upload section, and up to 10 documents on the additional documents page. There is a size limit of 20 MBs per document and .doc, .docx, .pdf, .xlsx, .xls and .zip files are accepted.

Why are my condition references showing up combined?

Some conditions have been combined to allow the permittee to demonstrate compliance. Others have been combined to allow the permittee to demonstrate compliance at the Section or Sub-section level. For example, if a the permit lists an emissions limit and the permittee must comply with the limit using an air pollution control device, those two conditions may be combined so that the permittee can certify compliance with the limit by operating the device. Please note: There are exceptions to this methodology, and it does not apply to all permit conditions.

Moreover, when a condition or question states “in accordance with the permit” or “as listed in the permit,” it is only requiring certification for items listed in that condition. For example, the use of those terms for Condition III.A.1.b would refer to Condition III.A.1.b and any conditions indented under that condition such as Condition III.A.1.b(1)-(3). Conversely, the Permittee would NOT be certifying compliance with Condition III.A.1.a and/or Condition III.A.1.c.

How will myDEQ address records requests?

Every submittal sends a copy to our database, which is available for records requests.

What devices can I use for submittal? Can I submit with my tablet or cell phone (e.g., iPad, iPhone, Android)?

Yes, you can use a tablet to complete compliance certification. Cell phones can view myDEQ pages, as well, but do not have the same functionality due to screen size (e.g., columns that do not fit will appear in multiple rows).

How do I know if I am in continuous or intermittent compliance with the terms or conditions of my permit?

At times, the compliance method is confused for the compliance status of a permit term or condition.

Compliance method is how you, the permittee, demonstrated compliance. This may be continuous or intermittent (e.g., use of a continuous emissions monitoring system or an annual performance test to demonstrate compliance with an emission limit in the permit). A compliance method does not need to be continuous for you to certify the status of the permit term or condition as continuous.

Determination of compliance status is simply an evaluation of whether or not the source was in compliance with the permit terms and conditions during the reporting period. You may certify continuous compliance, provided that you did not fail to monitor, report or collect the minimum data required by the permit. You may certify continuous compliance if the source experienced a permit deviation that was covered by the permit. For example, some regulations exclude periods of startup or shutdown from emission limits or standards contained in the permit. 

Any failure to meet the permit terms or conditions during a period when the permit required compliance means that compliance was not continuous, and you must identify the permit deviation (or possible exception to compliance1) in the certification and certify that compliance for the permit term or condition was intermittent. Those who hold an individual permit and submitted a permit deviation or excess emissions report through myDEQ during the compliance period will see a summary of submissions to ADEQ at the start of the compliance certification. Additionally, you may submit a permit deviation at the time of completing the compliance certification report through myDEQ.

If the status of compliance with a particular term or condition is undetermined at the time the compliance certification is submitted (e.g., awaiting test results), you may indicate this in the compliance certification. You should, however, identify the reason and the date when the source was last found in continuous compliance with the applicable permit term. You are always welcome to include any written explanation and other material information that helps clarify your conclusion regarding the compliance status of a permit term or condition.