Laws and Regulations: Hazardous MaterialsFederal statutes (laws), Executive Orders, and regulations concerned with hazardous materials. Follow the links below to learn about Federal statutes (laws), Executive Orders, and regulations that may apply to specific activities associated with energy development that relate to hazardous materials. Legislation establishing community safety standards designed to help local communities protect public health, safety, and the environment from chemical hazards. EPCRA (42 USC 11001 et seq.) is also known as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. The full suite of EPCRA regulations promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is available at 40 CFR Parts 302 and 350-374. Executive Order 12856 was issued by President Clinton on August 3, 1993, directing federal agencies to conduct their facility management and acquisition activities to minimize the quantity of toxic chemicals entering any waste stream, including releases to the environment; report to the public on toxic chemicals entering any waste stream from their facilities, including releases to the environment; improve local emergency planning, response, and accident notification; and encourage markets for clean technologies and safe alternatives to extremely hazardous substances or toxic chemicals. Legislation to control the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides. Regulations under FIFRA (7 USC 136) require manufacturers to register pesticides and establish requirements for the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides, particularly restricted-use pesticides. FIFRA does not fully preempt state/tribal or local law; each state/tribe and local government may also regulate pesticide use. The full suite of FIFRA regulations promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is available at 40 CFR 150-189. Legislation to regulate the transportation of hazardous materials in the United States. Regulations under the HMTA (49 USC 5101-5128) designate materials or classes of materials as hazardous and provide requirements for the safe transportation of such hazardous materials, including via rail, air, water, and highway. The full suite of HMTA regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is available at 49 CFR 100-185. Legislation establishing control over industrial chemicals produced or imported into the United States. TSCA (15 USC 2601 et seq.) authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to obtain information on new and existing chemical substances, as well as to control any of the substances that were determined to cause unreasonable risk to public health or the environment. The full suite of TSCA regulations promulgated by the EPA is available at 40 CFR 700-766. |
