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Free Access to Environmental Laws and Regulations - from EHSO and the EPA

Federal Environmental, Health and Safety Laws and Regulations

More than a dozen major statutes or laws form the legal basis for the programs of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
(More about the full text of these laws.)

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA); 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347
NEPA is the basic national charter for protection of the environment. It establishes policy, sets goals, and provides means for carrying out the policy.
NEPA full text | More about NEPA

Chemical Safety Information, Site Security and Fuels Regulatory Relief Act Public Law 106-40, Jan. 6, 1999; 42 U.S.C. 7412(r)
Amendment to Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act
Factsheets and full text

The Clean Air Act (CAA); 42 U.S.C. s/s 7401 et seq. (1970)
CAA summary | CAA full text | Guide to the CAA | CAA - US Code

The Clean Water Act (CWA); 33 U.S.C. ss/1251 et seq. (1977)
CWA summary | CWA full text

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) 42 U.S.C. s/s 9601 et seq. (1980)
CERCLA summary | CERCLA full text

The Emergency Planning & Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA); 42 U.S.C. 11011 et seq. (1986)
EPCRA summary | EPCRA full text

The Endangered Species Act (ESA); 7 U.S.C. 136;16 U.S.C. 460 et seq. (1973) ESA summary | ESA full text

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); 7 U.S.C. s/s 135 et seq. (1972)
FIFRA summary | FIFRA full text

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) 21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.
FFDCA full text

Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) Public Law 104-170, Aug. 3, 1996
FQPA summary and full text

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); U.S.C. s/s 552 (1966)
FOIA summary | FOIA full text

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA); 29 U.S.C. 651 et seq. (1970)
OSHA summary | OSHA full text

The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA); 33 U.S.C. 2702 to 2761
OPA summary | OPA full text

The Pollution Prevention Act (PPA); 42 U.S.C. 13101 and 13102, s/s et seq. (1990)
PPA summary | PPA full text

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); 42 U.S.C. s/s 321 et seq. (1976)
RCRA summary | RCRA full text

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA); 42 U.S.C. s/s 300f et seq. (1974)
SDWA summary | SDWA full text

The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA); 42 U.S.C.9601 et seq. (1986)
SARA summary | SARA full text

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); 15 U.S.C. s/s 2601 et seq. (1976)
TSCA summary | TSCA full text

A more comprehensive list of laws (as of 1995) administered by EPA is available.