This page describes the major U.S. environmental laws and regulations.
Air Laws & Regulations
The primary law is the Clean Air Act.
Other laws and regulatory programs that cover air emissions include the following:
- National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
- National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
- Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems
- Prevention of Significant Deterioration Permit Program
- Hazardous Organic National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) (HON-rule)
Click here for more information about these air laws and regulations.
Emergency Planning & Preparedness Laws & Regulations
The federal environmental laws and regulations that are specifically focused on emergency planning and preparedness include the following –
- Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
- Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Rule (SPCC Rule)
- Oil Pollution Act (OPA)
Many other environmental laws and regulations also include provisions dealing with emergency planning and preparedness, including CERCLA and the Risk Management Plan (RMP) regulations.
Sustainability & Right-to-Know Laws & Regulations
Although most environmental laws and regulations promote sustainability, the following laws and regulations are specifically focused on this topic –
Several environmental statutes contain requirements for informing interested parties about environmental regulatory actions. This includes providing an opportunity to provide input into rule-making and the issuing of permits.
In addition, the EPCRA law specifically requires that information about the storage and use of toxic materials be made available to the public. Although some of this information is only made available on a limited basis for security reasons, a great deal of environmental information about regulated facilities is available on-line at the EPA Enforcement & Compliance History Online website (ECHO).
Water Laws & Regulations
The primary law is the Clean Water Act.
Other laws and regulatory programs dealing with water include the following:
- Safe Drinking Water Act including the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
- Stormwater Discharge Permit Program
Click here for more information about these water laws and regulations.
Toxic Materials Laws & Regulations
Most of the environmental laws deal in some way with toxic materials. For laws like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, the use of toxic materials is what triggers the applicability of specific regulatory requirements.
There are two laws that are specifically focused on the use of toxic materials –
The following regulatory programs focus on regulating the handling or store of toxic or hazardous materials –
- Risk Management Plan (RMP Rule)
- The Federal Underground Storage Tank Regulations (UST Program)
Waste Laws & Regulations
The primary law dealing with waste materials is the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). RCRA gives EPA the authority to regulate hazardous waste from “cradle-to-grave.”
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) was enacted to address abandoned hazardous waste sites.
Other Federal Laws & Regulations
In addition to the laws and regulations listed above, there are a number of other laws, regulations and executive orders that relate to the activities of U.S. EPA.
For additional information about these requirements, click here.
Other Applicable Requirements
In certain circumstances, companies are obligated to comply with other applicable requirements. These may be obligations that an organization voluntary commits to – such as an organizational commitment to sustainability reporting in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
Other requirements may be imposed in contracts with customers or suppliers – such as a requirement to obtain 3rd party certification to ISO 14001.
EHS Auditors are often asked to assess conformance with these other applicable requirements as well as compliance with laws and regulations.
Last revised on 03/01/2016