EPA
U.S. federal regulations for environmental protection standards
REACH
EU regulation for chemicals registration, evaluation, authorisation, restriction
Quick Verdict
EPA enforces US environmental standards via permits and monitoring for all industries, while REACH mandates EU chemical registration and risk management for manufacturers/importers. Companies adopt EPA for legal compliance, REACH for EU market access and substitution.
EPA
U.S. EPA Standards under 40 CFR
Key Features
- Multi-layered architecture: statutes, 40 CFR, permits, enforcement
- Evidence-driven compliance via monitoring and defensible data
- Hybrid technology-based and health-based performance standards
- Federal baselines with state permitting and implementation
- Dynamic rulemaking tracked via Regulations.gov dockets
REACH
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH)
Key Features
- Industry-driven registration for substances over 1 tonne/year
- SVHC Candidate List triggers communication and notifications
- Authorisation regime with sunset dates for high-concern chemicals
- Annex XVII restrictions imposing EU-wide bans or limits
- Supply-chain SDS and exposure scenario obligations
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
EPA Details
What It Is
U.S. EPA Standards (40 CFR) are legally enforceable regulations implementing statutes like CAA, CWA, and RCRA. They form a comprehensive framework for environmental protection across air, water, and waste media. Primary purpose: manage risks through health-based endpoints and technology controls. Key approach: multi-layered systems with national baselines and site-specific obligations.
Key Components
- Numeric limits, thresholds, and performance criteria (e.g., MACT, effluent guidelines).
- Permitting (NPDES, Title V), monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting.
- Enforcement pathways with civil/criminal penalties.
- Federal-state implementation; no central certification, but permit compliance required.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for regulated entities to avoid penalties, shutdowns, liabilities. Drives risk reduction, operational efficiency, ESG alignment. Builds stakeholder trust via transparency tools like ECHO.
Implementation Overview
Phased: gap analysis, controls design, monitoring deployment, audits. Applies to industries like manufacturing, energy; high complexity demands EMS integration, training. Ongoing via regulatory tracking.
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 by shifting responsibility to industry for generating and managing safety data. It adopts a risk-based lifecycle approach covering substances, mixtures, and articles.
Key Components
- Four pillars: Registration (>1 tonne/year dossiers), Evaluation (dossier/substance checks), Authorisation (SVHC permissions via Annex XIV), Restriction (bans/limits via Annex XVII).
- 17 technical annexes defining data requirements, SDS rules, exemptions.
- Built on precautionary principles, PBT criteria, and supply-chain communication.
- Continuous compliance model with no central certification; national enforcement.
Why Organizations Use It
- Legal mandate for EU market access; penalties for non-compliance.
- Manages risks, avoids market bans, enables substitution.
- Builds supply-chain trust, supports ESG, drives innovation.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, inventory, dossiers, monitoring.
- Applies to manufacturers/importers/downstream users in chemicals/manufacturing; EU/EEA.
- No certification; self-managed with inspections (180 words).
Key Differences
| Aspect | EPA | REACH |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Air, water, waste standards across statutes | Chemical registration, evaluation, authorisation, restriction |
| Industry | All industrial sectors in US | Chemicals, manufacturing, importers in EU/EEA |
| Nature | Mandatory US federal regulations with state implementation | Mandatory EU regulation with national enforcement |
| Testing | Monitoring, sampling, emissions testing per permits | Hazard, exposure testing for registration dossiers |
| Penalties | Civil/criminal fines, injunctions, facility shutdowns | Fines up to millions, product seizures, market bans |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about EPA and REACH
EPA FAQ
REACH FAQ
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