What It Is

EPA standards are a family of legally binding regulatory requirements implementing major U.S. environmental statutes like the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). This regulatory framework codifies standards primarily in Title 40 of the CFR, focusing on protecting human health and the environment. It employs a systems architecture blending national baselines, technology-based controls, health-protective criteria, permitting, and enforcement.

Key Components

• **Performance standardsNumeric limits, thresholds, tiers (e.g., BPT/BAT, MACT).
• **Implementation pillarsAir (NAAQS, NSPS), water (NPDES, effluent guidelines), waste (TSDF controls).
• **Core elementsMonitoring/recordkeeping/reporting, state permitting, dynamic rulemaking.
• **Compliance modelStrict liability enforcement with self-auditing incentives.

Why Organizations Use It

Mandatory for regulated entities to avoid multimillion penalties, shutdowns, and liabilities. Drives risk management, operational efficiency, ESG alignment, and stakeholder trust via defensible data and transparency tools like ECHO.

Implementation Overview

Phased approach: gap analysis, regulatory register, controls design, training, digital monitoring, audits. Applies to industrial facilities across sectors; requires ongoing adaptation to rulemakings. No central certification, but state/federal audits enforce.

What It Is

ISO 45001:2018 is the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS). It establishes a framework to prevent work-related injuries and ill health, proactively improving OH&S performance. Adopting a risk-based approach and PDCA cycle, it aligns with ISO's High-Level Structure (Annex SL) for integration with standards like ISO 9001 and 14001.

Key Components

• Clauses 4–10: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
• Hazard identification, hierarchy of controls, worker participation.
• Top management accountability and continual improvement principles.
• Optional certification through accredited audits.

Why Organizations Use It

• Reduces incidents, compliance risks, insurance costs.
• Boosts employee morale, resilience, supply-chain competitiveness.
• Builds stakeholder trust via proven governance.
• Delivers strategic advantages in high-risk sectors.

Implementation Overview

• Phased: gap analysis, policy/objectives, training, controls, audits.
• Scalable for all sizes/sectors globally.
• Emphasizes leadership commitment, worker engagement, evidence-based reviews.