EPA
U.S. federal regulations protecting air, water, waste environments
SOC 2
AICPA framework for service organizations' trust services controls
Quick Verdict
EPA mandates environmental compliance via statutes like CAA/CWA/RCRA for all industries, enforced by fines and inspections. SOC 2 voluntarily assures data security for SaaS/cloud providers through CPA audits. Companies adopt EPA to avoid penalties; SOC 2 to win enterprise trust.
EPA
EPA Standards (40 CFR Title 40)
Key Features
- Enforceable standards codified in Title 40 CFR
- Technology-based and health-protective performance limits
- Site-specific permitting via NPDES and Title V
- Evidence-driven compliance with QA/QC monitoring
- Federal-state implementation and dynamic rulemaking
SOC 2
System and Organization Controls 2
Key Features
- Trust Services Criteria with mandatory Security focus
- Type 2 audits prove operating effectiveness over time
- Independent CPA attestation reports for trust
- Flexible scoping for services and systems
- Overlaps with ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA frameworks
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
EPA Details
What It Is
EPA Standards (40 CFR Title 40) are legally binding U.S. federal regulations implementing major environmental statutes like Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). They form a multi-layered framework of performance standards, permits, and enforcement for air, water, and waste protection. Key approach blends technology-based controls (e.g., MACT, effluent guidelines) with health-based endpoints (e.g., NAAQS, WQS).
Key Components
- Numeric limits, thresholds, design standards across media.
- Permitting (NPDES, Title V), monitoring/recordkeeping/reporting.
- Enforcement pathways with civil penalties, SEPs.
- Federal-state delegation; no central certification, compliance via audits/inspections.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandated for regulated entities to avoid penalties, shutdowns; enables risk management, operational continuity. Builds stakeholder trust, ESG alignment; drives efficiency via BMPs, pollution prevention.
Implementation Overview
Phased: gap analysis, EMS build, controls deployment, training, audits. Applies to industrial facilities nationwide; ongoing via e-reporting (ECHO, ICIS-NPDES), state oversight.
SOC 2 Details
What It Is
SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a voluntary attestation framework developed by the AICPA for service organizations handling customer data. It evaluates controls against Trust Services Criteria (TSC)—security (mandatory), availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy—using a risk-based approach focused on design and operating effectiveness.
Key Components
- Five TSCSecurity** (CC1-CC9 common criteria, mandatory), plus four optionals.
- 50-100 controls per scope, built on COSO principles.
- Type 1 (point-in-time design) or Type 2 (effectiveness over 3-12 months) reports issued by CPA auditors.
Why Organizations Use It
- Market-driven for enterprise sales acceleration and due diligence.
- Builds stakeholder trust, reduces breach risks, competitive moat.
- Overlaps 80% with ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA for efficiency.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: scoping/gap analysis (4-8 weeks), deployment/monitoring (3-6 months), CPA audit.
- Targets SaaS/cloud providers, all sizes, global applicability.
- Annual Type 2 recertification with continuous monitoring.
Key Differences
| Aspect | EPA | SOC 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Environmental statutes (air/water/waste) | Trust Services Criteria (security/availability/privacy) |
| Industry | All industries with environmental impact | Service orgs handling customer data (SaaS/cloud) |
| Nature | Mandatory federal regulations | Voluntary AICPA attestation framework |
| Testing | Inspections, self-monitoring, DMR reporting | CPA audits (Type 1/2) annually |
| Penalties | Civil/criminal fines, shutdowns, remediation | Loss of certification, market exclusion |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about EPA and SOC 2
EPA FAQ
SOC 2 FAQ
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