LibGuides: Illinois Environmental Law: Federal laws & regulations

Understanding the relationship between laws and regulations

Laws provide the authority for EPA and other executive agencies to write regulations. Regulations explain the technical, operational, and legal details necessary to implement laws.

Before federal agencies can implement a regulation/rule, they must do the following:

Determine whether the rule is necessary.
Submit the proposed rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review.
If the proposal is approved, the agency prepares a draft version of the proposed rule.
The proposed rule is published in the Federal Register and made available for public comment.
After comments are reviewed and incorporated, the rule is again submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review.
After the final rule is approved by OMB, the final rule is published in the Federal Register.

All general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the Executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government are codifed and made available through the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Title 40 (Protection of Environment) of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) contains most regulations pertaining to the Environment.

Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. Subchapter II)
Statutory authority for the Environmental Protection Agency to create regulations to enforce environmental laws.
The Basics of the Regulatory Process
Writing regulations is one of EPA's most significant tools to protect the environment. Regulatory requirements help put environmental laws passed by Congress into effect, and can apply to individuals, businesses, state or local governments, non-profit institutions, or others. This page outlines the steps in the regulatory process.
Federal Statutory Law
Provides links to federal statutory resources. Part of the Legal Research for UIUC Students (Non-Law) LibGuide.
How to Trace Federal Regulations – A Research Guide
This Research Guide addresses the basics of how to "trace" a federal regulation, in order to not only derive its statutory authority, but also to learn more about its origins and history.
RegMap
The Reg Map is a chart that gives an overview of the "informal rulemaking" process.

Federal environmental laws, regulations, and executive orders

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR)
The Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) is a web version of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that updated daily to better reflect its current status. The eCFR is an editorial compilation of CFR material and amendments published in the daily Federal Register.
Federal Register
The Federal Register is a daily publication of the US federal government that issues proposed and final administrative regulations of federal agencies.
Regulations.gov
Regulations.gov, launched in January 2003, removes the logistical barriers that made it difficult for a citizen to participate in the complex regulatory process. Through this website, the public can participate and impact Federal rules and regulations.
U.S. EPA Laws and Executive Orders
A number of laws serve as EPA's foundation for protecting the environment and public health. However, most laws do not have enough detail to be put into practice right away.EPA is called a regulatory agency because Congress authorizes us to write regulations that explain the critical details necessary to implement environmental laws. In addition, a number of Presidential Executive Orders (EOs) play a central role in their activities.
U.S. EPA Regulations
EPA is called a regulatory agency because Congress authorizes us to write regulations that explain the technical, operational, and legal details necessary to implement laws. Regulations are mandatory requirements that can apply to individuals, businesses, state or local governments, non-profit institutions, or others. EPA provides a number of tools for you to keep track of and participate in the development of new EPA regulations, and to learn how to comply with existing regulations.