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The Office of Science Policy (OSP) in the Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA's) Office of Research and Development (ORD) integrates
and communicates scientific information generated by or for ORD's
laboratories and centers, as well as ORD's expert advice on the
use of scientific information. EPA and the scientific community
at large use this information to ensure that EPA's decisions and
environmental policies are informed by sound science.
EPA functions as both a scientific and regulatory agency in the United
States. Research conducted under ORD provides the basis for the formulation
of environmental policies and programs. OSP plays a vital role by
providing expert advice and evaluation on the use of scientific knowledge
and science policy to support sound science in the Agency. OSP accomplishes
this mission by leading efforts in science integration, coordination
and communication across ORD, and between ORD and the Agency's programs,
regions, and external parties.
Science Integration by
- developing unified ORD positions on the use of science in regulations
and policies,
- managing the ORD research planning process, and
- coordinating the implementation of Agency-wide science policies.
Science Coordination by
- bringing ORD and the 10 EPA Regions together to address critical
science issues,
- leading the Agency-wide effort to ensure that ORD's research
program addresses the Agency's priorities, and
- facilitating access to scientists in ORD laboratories and centers
for input in agency regulations and policies.
Science Communication by
- representing ORD to Tribal, state, and local communities, and
- sponsoring external and internal colloquia, workshops, and scientific
meetings on topical science issues.
The unique role of OSP has resulted in an ORD-wide focus on meeting
the needs of ORD's internal and external customers to enhance the
use of sound science in the Agency.
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