The EPA has primary responsibility for enforcing the environmental statutes and regulations of the United States. As such, the Agency is granted explicit enforcement authority in all of the major environmental statutes. Sometimes, however, that authority needs to be further refined or explained. In such cases, EPA may develop and implement policies and write guidance. In addition, EPA sometimes issues policy or guidance to encourage compliance with environmental requirements. Policy documents represent EPA's official interpretation or view of specific issues. Guidance documents are published to further clarify regulations and to assist in implementation of environmental regulations.

Recommended EPA Web pages

• The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
  This page provides links to information about the Montreal Protocol and international ozone protection policies.
• U.S. Trade and Investment Policy Making Process
  Provides information about the U.S. trade and investment policy making process.
• North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)
  Provides information about the North American Commission on Environmental Cooperation.

Border Issues
Great Lakes, Transboundary Pollution, US-Canada Border, US-Mexico Border

Chemicals Management
Export, Green Chemistry, Import, Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRS), Screening

Country & Regional Programs
Canada, Caribbean, Central Europe, China, Eastern Europe, Japan, Latin America, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Western Europe

Environmental Policy
Children's Health, Marine Pollution, Trade

Global Climate Change
Carbon Sequestration, Carbon Sink, Forestry, Greenhouse Gas, Land Use, Methane, Technology Cooperation

Import/Export
Pesticides, Waste

International Visitors

Partners/Networks
International Joint Commission (IJC), NAFTA Technical Working Group on Pesticides, OECD Pesticide Working Group

Pollution Prevention
Binational Toxics Strategy

Radiation

Stratospheric Ozone

Technical Assistance
Environmental Technology Verification, Site Remediation Technologies, Training

Treaties and Agreements
Basel Convention, Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, La Paz Agreement, London Convention, Marpol Agreement, Montreal Protocol, North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), US-Japan Agreement on Cooperation in Environmental Protection, US-Taiwan Bilateral Agreement In the Field of Environmental Protection, US-Thailand Agreement in the Area of Environmental Protection

Voluntary Standards
ISO 14000

Waste

Water
Marine Pollution, Transboundary