Standard: Basic Information Page
Brief description
(see the full document below for details)
The basic information page is a required part of every Web area. It provides a simple overview of a topic.
Note: This is a "legacy" standard, written before the Web Council was created. It has been in force since the effective date. Since the creation of the Web Council, it has been rewritten to follow the normal layout for standards. "Date approved" refers to when the Web Council approved this rewritten version.
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Content requirements
- Every Web area, including a database if you have defined it as a Web area, must have a page called "Basic Information:"
- It must provide a simple explanation of background information relevant to the topic of the Web area
- It must be written at a level understandable by the general public.
- The left sidebar must link to it.
- A Basic Information page must answer questions like the following, although a question-and-answer format is not required:
- What's the issue?
- Why should people care?
- What is EPA doing about it? (e.g., regulations, partnerships, outreach, enforcement, research, grants)
- What are others doing about it? (e.g., other federal agencies, states/counties etc., NGOs, voluntary partnerships)
- What can you (as a person or as an organization) do about it?
- What are some other resources to learn more (including non-EPA Web sites)?
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Examples
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Rationale
It is a good idea to provide a basic introduction to any subject. The home page is best used for offering links, so placing basic information there delays people familiar with the subject. The Basic Information page ensures that even technical areas offer some simple information to help visitors decide whether to delve deeper. Therefore, it must be written at level understandable by the general public, even if the rest of the Web area is highly technical.
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Exemptions
Sites that are extremely small – no more than four or five HTML pages – may not need a Basic Information page. If you intend to develop a Web area with no Basic Information page, you must obtain the approval of your Web Content Coordinator and the Office of Web Communications.
Home pages for Regions and AA-level offices may use a page titled "About Us" or "About <office/region name>" instead of "Basic Information."
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Related governance documents
EPA
Related Policies
Related Procedures
Related Standards
Related Guidance
Non-EPA
None
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Full Metadata about this standard
Name Basic Information Page
Tracking number NT00000000
Type Standard
Required or Recommended Required
Effective date 01/01/2004
Date approved 03/12/2007
Category Required Pages
Web Council review by 03/12/2009 (or earlier if deemed necessary by the Web Council)
Governing Policy Web Governance and Management (PDF) (4 pp, 339K, About PDF)
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