Standards Comparison

    EPA

    Mandatory
    1970

    U.S. regulatory framework for air, water, waste protection

    VS

    ISO 28000

    Voluntary
    2022

    International standard for supply chain security management systems.

    Quick Verdict

    EPA enforces mandatory U.S. environmental standards for pollution control across industries, while ISO 28000 is a voluntary global framework for supply chain security management. Companies adopt EPA for legal compliance; ISO 28000 for resilience and certification.

    Environmental Protection

    EPA

    EPA Standards (40 CFR Environmental Regulations)

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    18-24 months

    Key Features

    • Legally binding regulations codified in 40 CFR Title 40
    • Facility-specific permits from national baseline standards
    • Evidence-driven compliance via monitoring and reporting
    • Hybrid technology-based and health-based controls
    • Federal-state enforcement with predictable penalties
    Supply Chain Security

    ISO 28000

    ISO 28000:2022 Security management systems — Requirements

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Risk-based supply chain threat assessment and treatment
    • PDCA cycle for continual security improvement
    • Supplier and third-party security governance
    • Integration with ISO HLS standards like 27001, 22301
    • Scalable certification for resilience assurance

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    EPA Details

    What It Is

    EPA standards comprise a family of enforceable regulations implementing statutes like Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Codified in 40 CFR Title 40, this regulatory framework protects human health and environment across air, water, waste media. It employs a risk-based approach blending health-protective ambient criteria with technology-feasible performance standards, operationalized through permitting and data verification.

    Key Components

    • Numeric limits, thresholds, performance criteria (e.g., NAAQS, effluent guidelines)
    • Permitting mechanisms (NPDES, Title V, RCRA TSDF)
    • Monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting (DMRs, QA/QC)
    • Enforcement pathways (civil penalties, SEPs) Built on statutory-regulations-permits hierarchy; no central certification but inspection/audit compliance.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandatory for regulated entities to avert multimillion penalties, shutdowns, liabilities. Drives defensible compliance, operational efficiency, ESG value. Mitigates enforcement risk, builds regulator/stakeholder trust via ECHO transparency.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: governance, gap analysis, controls/SOPs, training, digital tools (NetDMR), audits. Targets industrial sectors U.S.-wide; state variations apply. Ongoing adaptation to rulemakings via Regulations.gov.

    ISO 28000 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 28000:2022 is an international management system standard specifying requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving a security management system (SMS) focused on supply chain security and resilience. It uses a risk-based, PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) approach, not prescriptive controls, applicable across supply chains.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4-10 cover context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
    • Emphasizes risk assessment, security policy, operational controls, supplier governance.
    • Built on ISO High Level Structure (HLS) for integration with ISO 9001, 22301, 27001.
    • Optional third-party certification via accredited bodies per ISO 28003.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mitigates theft, sabotage, disruptions; reduces insurance costs, enables trade facilitation.
    • Meets contractual/regulatory expectations (e.g., C-TPAT equivalents).
    • Builds resilience, stakeholder trust, competitive edge in logistics, manufacturing.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: scoping, gap analysis, risk assessment, controls deployment, audits.
    • Scalable for SMEs to multinationals; industries like logistics, pharma.
    • Involves supply chain mapping, training, internal audits, management reviews.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    EPA
    Environmental pollution control (air, water, waste)
    ISO 28000
    Supply chain security management system

    Industry

    EPA
    All industrial sectors (manufacturing, energy)
    ISO 28000
    Logistics, manufacturing, any supply chain

    Nature

    EPA
    Mandatory U.S. federal regulations
    ISO 28000
    Voluntary international certification standard

    Testing

    EPA
    Monitoring, sampling, DMR reporting
    ISO 28000
    Internal audits, management reviews

    Penalties

    EPA
    Civil/criminal fines, enforcement actions
    ISO 28000
    Loss of certification, no legal penalties

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about EPA and ISO 28000

    EPA FAQ

    ISO 28000 FAQ

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