CAA
U.S. federal law for air quality and emissions control
REACH
EU regulation for chemical registration, evaluation, authorisation, restriction.
Quick Verdict
CAA regulates US air emissions via NAAQS and permits for all industries, while REACH mandates EU chemical registration and risk assessment for manufacturers/importers. Companies adopt CAA for nationwide compliance, REACH for EU market access and supply chain safety.
CAA
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq.)
Key Features
- Sets NAAQS for six criteria pollutants protecting health
- Requires SIPs for NAAQS attainment and maintenance nationwide
- Imposes NSPS and MACT technology-based emission standards
- Mandates Title V permits consolidating all requirements
- Enforces via penalties, sanctions, and citizen suits
REACH
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH)
Key Features
- Shifts chemical risk management burden to industry
- Requires registration for substances over 1 tonne/year
- Authorises SVHCs via Annex XIV with sunset dates
- Imposes restrictions through Annex XVII limits/bans
- Mandates SDS and SVHC supply-chain communication
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
CAA Details
What It Is
Clean Air Act (CAA), codified at 42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq., is the primary U.S. federal statute regulating air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. Its purpose is protecting public health and welfare via ambient standards and source controls. It employs **cooperative federalismEPA sets national floors; states implement via SIPs.
Key Components
- NAAQS for six criteria pollutants (primary/secondary standards).
- Technology standards: NSPS, MACT/NESHAPs, mobile/fuel rules.
- Title V operating permits, NSR/PSD preconstruction review.
- SIPs, enforcement (penalties, sanctions), Title IV/VI programs. No formal certification; compliance via permits, reporting, audits.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for emitters; drives compliance to avoid penalties, shutdowns, suits. Reduces health/environmental risks, enables permitting/expansion. Builds stakeholder trust, supports ESG, provides market mechanisms like trading.
Implementation Overview
Phased: applicability assessment, emissions inventory, permitting (Title V/NSR), install controls/monitoring (CEMS), reporting (CEDRI/ECMPS), training/audits. Applies to major sources/industries nationwide; state variations require tailored plans. Ongoing via renewals, SIP cycles.
REACH Details
What It Is
REACH (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006) is a directly applicable EU regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. Its primary purpose is to ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment from chemical risks, while promoting innovation and alternatives to animal testing. It employs a responsibility-shift approach, placing the burden on industry to generate and submit data on substances.
Key Components
- Four pillars: Registration (>1 tonne/year), Evaluation (dossier/substance checks), Authorisation (SVHCs on Annex XIV), Restriction (Annex XVII bans/limits).
- Technical annexes (I-XVII) define data requirements, SDS rules, exemptions.
- Built on risk-based assessments (CSA/CSR), with ECHA managing databases.
- No certification; continuous compliance via dossiers and updates.
Why Organizations Use It
- Legal obligation for EU manufacturers/importers; penalties for non-compliance.
- Manages market access risks, supply-chain disruptions, fines.
- Drives substitution, enhances ESG/reputation, ensures competitiveness.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, inventory, dossiers, monitoring.
- Applies to chemicals/mixtures/articles industries EU/EEA-wide.
- Cross-functional; tools like IUCLID/REACH-IT; national enforcement.
Key Differences
| Aspect | CAA | REACH |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | US air emissions from stationary/mobile sources | EU chemical substances registration/evaluation |
| Industry | All US industries, nationwide | Chemicals/manufacturing, EU/EEA only |
| Nature | Mandatory US federal regulation | Mandatory EU regulation |
| Testing | CEMS/stack tests, continuous monitoring | Hazard/toxicity studies, dossier submission |
| Penalties | Civil/criminal fines, sanctions/FIPs | Fines up to €10M, market bans |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about CAA and REACH
CAA FAQ
REACH FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...
CMMC Sustainment Mastery: Continuous Monitoring, Annual Affirmations, and Subcontractor Flow-Down Playbook
Master CMMC sustainment beyond certification: continuous monitoring dashboards, SPRS/eMASS affirmations, enforceable subcontractor clauses. Get templates for ve
NIST 800-53 Private Sector ROI Reality Check: Isolating Control Family Impacts on 2024 Breach Costs
Discover NIST 800-53 ROI in private sector: control families like RA, SI, SR reduce median breach costs from $100K to under $50K. Get benchmarks to prioritize i
NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5.1 Private Sector Tailoring Blueprint: First 5 Steps to Overlay-Driven Compliance with Infographic
Step-by-step blueprint for private sector NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5.1 tailoring using overlays for AI & supply chain risks. Infographic + first 5 steps for ROI-drive
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
FDA 21 CFR Part 11 vs ISA 95
Discover FDA 21 CFR Part 11 vs ISA-95: Compare electronic records compliance with enterprise-manufacturing integration. Align regs & ops for regulated industries success.
ISO 13485 vs SAMA CSF
Discover ISO 13485 vs SAMA CSF: Medical QMS rigor meets Saudi financial cyber resilience. Key governance, risk & compliance insights. Master both standards now!
ISO 21001 vs CIS Controls
ISO 21001 vs CIS Controls: Tailor EOMS for learner-centric education excellence or fortify cybersecurity hygiene? Compare frameworks, boost outcomes & resilience. Discover now!