Laws that We Administer
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
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.
- Clean Water Act (CWA) (original title: Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments of 1972)
- Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments - See Clean Water Act
- Ocean Dumping Act - See Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act
- Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) - See Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
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.
- Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) - See Regulatory Flexibility Act