Environmental Regulations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental agencies regulate the impact of businesses on the environment. The EPA develops and enforces regulations that implement environmental laws enacted by Congress. Likewise, state agencies enforce regulations that implement laws enacted by the state legislature.

There are dozens of environmental regulations that apply to small businesses. The EPA and other agencies help small businesses understand their specific requirements by publishing plain language guides that explain actions business owners must take to comply with federal regulations. Similarly, most state governments provide similar guidance for laws enforced by state environmental agencies.

This guide provides a collection resources available from the federal government that help business understand their responsibilities under the nation's environmental laws.

• General Small Business Resources
  General information on how to comply with environmental laws regulations.
• Environmental Permits
  Learn about which permits you need to obtain for your business.
• Air Quality Regulations
  How to comply with the Clean Air Act.
• Cleanup
  Environmental clean up information including Brownfields,Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and Superfund
• Ecosystem Protection
  Regulations for wetlands and watershed protection, and. National Park Service permits required for geological research and concession activities.
• Emergencies and Disaster Planning
  Guidance for reporting and responding to environmental emergencies, including chemical accidents, oil spills, and radiological emergencies.
• Fish and Wildlife Regulations
  Information about wildlife permits issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
• Pesticides
  Regulatory compliance information for pesticide manufacturers and applicators.
• Pollutants, Chemicals and Toxic Substances
  Information about complying with the Toxic Substances Control Act.
• Storage Tanks
  Includes regulations that apply to underground storage tanks.
• Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)
  Information for businesses that are required to submit reports each year on the amounts of toxic chemicals their facilities release into the environment or otherwise managed as waster.
• Waste Regulations
  How to comply with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Includes extensive resources on requirements for handling hazardous wastes.
• Water Quality Regulations
  Information on how to comply with the Clean Water Act and other regulations that aim to protect drinking water and ground water.