The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or sometimes USEPA) is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress. The EPA was proposed by President Richard Nixon and began operation on December 3, 1970, after Nixon submitted a reorganization plan to Congress and it was ratified by committee hearings in the House and Senate. The agency is led by its Administrator, who is appointed by the President and approved by Congress. The current administrator is Lisa P. Jackson. The EPA is not a Cabinet department, but the administrator is normally given cabinet rank. The agency has approximately 18,000 full-time employees.
Compliance and Enforcement is an integral part of environmental protection. Compliance with the nation’s environmental laws is the ultimate objective, but enforcement is a vital part of encouraging governments, businesses and other companies who are regulated to meet their environmental obligations.
EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) pursues enforcement and provides compliance assistance to areas that yield the most environmental benefit or reduce risk to human health. Enforcement and compliance actions are organized around environmental problems and broad patterns of non-compliance rather than provisions of single statutes.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.] was signed into law on January 1, 1970. The Act establishes national environmental policy and goals for the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of the environment and provides a process for implementing these goals within the federal agencies. The Act also establishes the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ).
Title 40 is the section of the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) that deals with our mission of protecting human health and the environment.
40 CFR: Protection of the Environment
Chapter I- Environmental Protection Agency
Subchapter A — General (Parts 1 – 29)
Subchapter B — Grants and Other Federal Assistance (Parts 30 – 49)
Subchapter C — Air Programs (Parts 50 – 99)
Subchapter D — Water Programs (Parts 100 – 149)
Subchapter E — Pesticide Programs (Parts 150 – 189)
Subchapter F — Radiation Protection Programs (Parts 190 – 197)
Subchapter G — Noise Abatement Programs (Parts 201 – 211)
Subchapter H — Ocean Dumping (Parts 220 – 238)
Subchapter I — Solid Wastes (Parts 239 – 282)
Subchapter J — Superfund, Emergency Planning, and Community Right-to-Know Programs (Parts 300 – 399)
Subchapter N — Effluent Guidelines and Standards (Parts 400 – 471)
Subchapter O — Sewage Sludge (Parts 501 – 503)
Subchapter Q — Energy Policy (Parts 600 – 699)
Subchapter R — Toxic Substances Control Act (Parts 700 – 799)
Subchapter U — Air Pollution Controls (Parts 1027 – 1074)
Protecting the world around us takes everyone doing his or her share. Look around your community and you will find volunteers starting recycling programs, cleaning up streams, and planting trees. This same spirit of environmental stewardship can also be seen in the private sector, where companies are adopting green business practices that are good for the environment, as well as for the bottom line.
EPA encourages and facilitates such voluntary efforts to protect the environment, but sometimes we also must write mandatory requirements called regulations. While Congress passes the laws that govern the United States, Congress has also authorized EPA and other government agencies to create and enforce regulations in order to put those laws into effect. EPA regulations cover a range of environmental and public health protection issues, from setting standards for clean water to specifying cleanup levels for toxic waste sites to controlling air pollution from industry and other sources.
To assist your company in fulfilling these EPA regulations, INSITE has developed several pre-written programs such as Erosion Control Plans and Health & Safety Plans that address the mandatory requirements laid out in 40 CFR. INSITE also has a vast array of training programs to equip your management and workers in such areas as Lead Awareness, Asbestos Awareness, Hazardous Communication (chemical labeling, handling, storage) and Hazardous Waste Operations (HAZWOPER). Please explore our products for easy, cost-effective, and professional tools to aid in your peace of mind with solid and safe workplace practices.