Laws, Regulations, Guidance and Dockets

A number of laws serve as EPA's foundation for protecting the environment and public health. However, most laws do not have enough detail to be put into practice right away. EPA is called a regulatory agency because Congress authorizes us to write regulations that explain the critical details necessary to implement environmental laws. In addition, a number of Presidential Executive Orders (EOs) play a central role in our activities.

The major laws and EOs are listed on this page and can be roughly divided into two categories:

• Laws and EOs that influence environmental protection
• Laws and EOs that influence EPA's regulatory process

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Laws and EOs that Influence Environmental Protection

The following laws and EOs help to protect human health and the environment. EPA is charged with administering all or a part of each.

• Atomic Energy Act (AEA)

• Clean Air Act (CAA)

• Clean Water Act (CWA) (original title: Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments of 1972)

• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund)

• Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)

• Endangered Species Act (ESA)

• Energy Policy Act

• EO 12898: Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

• EO 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks

• EO 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use

• Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)

• Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)

• Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments - See Clean Water Act

• Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA, also known as the Ocean Dumping Act)

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

• National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)

• Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA)

• Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA)

• Ocean Dumping Act - See Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act

• Oil Pollution Act (OPA)

• Pollution Prevention Act (PPA)

• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

• Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

• Superfund - See Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act

• Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) - See Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act

• Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

 

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Laws and EOs that Influence the Regulatory Process

Besides carrying out our mission via environmental laws, EPA must abide by several laws and EOs that guide the process by which regulations are developed. They direct EPA to consider issues of concern to the President, Congress, and the American public.

• Administrative Procedure Act (APA)

• Congressional Review Act (CRA)

• EO 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review

• EO 13132: Federalism

• EO 13175: Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments

• Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA)

• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

• Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

• Privacy Act

• Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

• Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) - See Regulatory Flexibility Act

• Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

 

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