Please note that this page refers to federal requirements.  State and local regulations may differ.  Check the page for your state on the HERC Hazardous Waste State Resources Locator for links to more information.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)


The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for the majority of federal programs intended to protect human health and the environment.  For issues dealing specifically with worker safety and the workplace environment, see also the HERC page on Worker Safety -- OSHA .

EPA's authority to regulate environmental impacts is based on a few key laws.  In general, each law covers a specific type of emissions (air emission, wastewater, and "solid waste") affecting a particular part of the environment (air, surface water and groundwater, and land).  HERC provides a basic information page for each of the following laws and regulations: