Environmental Resources

Hazardous Waste

“Cradle-to-grave” is the phrase that neatly sums up a generator’s responsibility for hazardous waste under RCRA. It means that those who generate hazardous waste are responsible for it from its generation to its disposal. Along the way, there are very strict waste management rules, which vary depending on whether one is a generator, transporter, or operator of a treatment, storage or disposal facility. Universal wastes are certain widely generated hazardous wastes, for which EPA has less stringent rules.

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• For ready-to-use materials on required training for hazwaste, check out BLR’s popular Environmental Training Library
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SPCC (Spill Prevention)

Under the Clean Water Act (CWA), EPA requires that regulated oil storage facilities develop and implement oil spill prevention, control, and countermeasure (SPCC) plans. In addition to the CWA requirements, the federal Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) requires that facilities detail and implement spill prevention and control measures in their plans.

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• For expert analysis of the regulations, comprehensive checklists, common violations, training materials, and more, check out BLR’s EHS Essentials Kit: SPCC Plan Compliance. Get More Information

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Air

The federal Clean Air Act (CAA) was enacted in 1970 because of increasing concerns over the quality of the nation’s air. The CAA was amended in 1977 and 1990. Simply put, the purpose of the CAA is to protect and improve the nation’s air quality, the stratospheric ozone layer, and the public’s health. Through the CAA’s various mandates, the United States has seen the quality of its air greatly improve over the past few decades.

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• For practical CAA regulatory analysis and activity, news, and compliance tools at your fingertips, check out Enviro.BLR.com. Get More Information

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Water

The Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) are the two major laws aimed at water quality protection. CWA provides a two-pronged regulatory strategy–control of pollutant discharges (effluent limitations), primarily from industry, and state designation of uses and setting of water quality standards for navigable waters (water quality-based control). SDWA requires EPA to set maximum contaminant levels for drinking water and water systems to be run by qualified operators.

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• For practical CWA regulatory analysis and activity, news, and compliance tools at your fingertips, check out Enviro.BLR.com Get More Information

• Download a complimentary report on Inspection Requirements for EHS Managers

Chemical

As part of the federal government’s responsibility to enforce the laws concerning international trade, it regulates imports and exports. However, no one agency or set of federal rules regulates all aspects of imports and exports of hazardous substances. The appropriate rules depend on the substance being imported or exported. There are import and export requirements for hazardous materials, hazardous wastes, and hazardous chemicals.

Learn More About Chemical Regulations

• For every important regulatory list – federal and state, check out BLR’s comprehensive The Book of Chemical Lists on CD-ROM.Get More Information

• Download a complimentary report Tips from the Enviro Manager’s Corner