How EPA Writes Regulations

These pages provide an in-depth overview of how EPA writes regulations. A short overview of how EPA develops regulations is also available.

Congress passes laws that govern the United States. To put those laws into effect, Congress authorizes certain government agencies, including EPA, to create and enforce regulations. 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.

Businesses, state and local government, even individuals can be fined if they do not abide by our regulations, and that is one reason why we invite the public to share in their development—we want our rules to be practical and fair for the American people. Continue reading to learn more about how EPA writes regulations, and how your voice can influence the policies that shape our environmental future.

The Origin of Regulations: Environmental Laws
How does Congress authorize EPA to write regulations?

Developing Regulations: From Start to Finish
What process do we follow to draft regulations?

Important Considerations that Guide Decision-Making
How do we take diverse opinions into account when we approach a public health or environmental problem?

When Regulation is not Needed
What are some alternatives to writing a regulation?

Improving the Process: Setting the Stage for Future Regulatory Actions
Where are we headed in the future?

This information is also available as a printable brochure entitled, "Regulations: A Vital Tool for Protecting Human Health and the Environment" (PDF, 24 pp., 985KB, About PDF Files). Please note that minor updates to this Web site have been made since the publication of the brochure in September 2003. Order a copy of the booklet.

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