Top 5 Environmental Regulations Every Business Must Know (And Which Apply to You?!)

The Top 5 Environmental Regulations Every Business Should Know - And How to Know What You're Subject To

Running a business comes with plenty of responsibilities—payroll, client management, and keeping up with the latest industry trends. But there’s one area you can’t afford to overlook: environmental regulations. Whether you’re a small operation or a large corporation, complying with environmental laws is crucial to avoiding costly fines and ensuring your business is sustainable for the long haul.

The good news? Staying compliant doesn’t have to be complicated. With the help of our free 5-minute online environmental assessment tool, you can quickly identify which regulations may apply to your business.

But before you dive into our assessment, here’s a rundown of the top 5 environmental regulations every business should know.

The Big 5 - Environmental Regulations that You NEED to be Aware Of!

Heads up - it’s important to note that the regulations we're about to cover are just the basics. Depending on your location and industry, you could also be subject to other federal, state, or local regulations. Navigating these rules can be tricky, which is why a professional environmental audit is the most reliable way to know exactly what applies to your business and how to stay compliant.

With decades of experience, we’ve conducted audits for businesses all over the country, across a variety of industries—from manufacturing to retail and everything in between. Our experts are familiar with the unique regulatory challenges that different sectors face, and we’re here to help you navigate the complex world of environmental compliance.

If you’re unsure about where to start or simply want peace of mind that your operations are fully compliant, shoot us a message through our contact page - we’d be happy to talk about your specific needs and guide you toward the best solutions for your business. 

1. The Clean Water Act (CWA)

The Clean Water Act is all about protecting the quality of U.S. water bodies, including lakes, rivers, and oceans. If your business discharges process water (wastewater) or stormwater, you may need a permit to ensure that these discharges don’t contaminate local water bodies.

Why it matters: Even small amounts of pollutants can have a big impact on the environment and your reputation. Take the quiz to figure out if you might need a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and the next steps for reaching compliance with the Clean Water Act. 

2. The Clean Air Act (CAA)

If your business has any processes that emit pollutants into the air—whether from manufacturing, fuel combustion, or chemical processes—you’ll want to pay close attention to the Clean Air Act. This law limits the amount of harmful emissions that businesses can release into the atmosphere, often through air quality permits.

Why it matters: Non-compliance with the Clean Air Act can lead to steep penalties, not to mention negative public perception. Our assessment tool helps you quickly determine if your business may need to take steps to obtain an air quality permit in just a few minutes.

3. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

RCRA is all about waste - solid waste, universal waste, hazardous waste, and recyclable materials. This act ensures that businesses properly handle the generation, storage, transportation, and disposal of all types of waste.

Regardless of the type of waste you generate, you are responsible for managing it in a way that prevents environmental harm. This includes ensuring proper labeling, storage, transportation, and safe disposal methods.

Why it matters: Mishandling any type of waste can lead to serious environmental damage and heavy fines, but this is especially true for hazardous wastes. Our free online tool will help you assess whether you may be subject to hazardous waste management obligations, ensuring that you meet both federal and state requirements for handling and disposing of waste responsibly.

4. The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)

Does your business use or store hazardous or toxic chemicals? If so, EPCRA might apply to you! This law requires businesses to report the storage and use of certain chemicals to local authorities and inform communities about potential environmental hazards.

Under EPCRA, you may be required to submit Tier II reports if your business stores hazardous chemicals above specific thresholds. These reports inform emergency responders and local authorities about the risks posed by the chemicals on your site. Additionally, if your business releases certain toxic chemicals into the environment, you may need to submit annual reports under the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program, ensuring transparency and public safety.

Why it matters: EPCRA is designed to protect communities and first responders from chemical hazards. Non-compliance can result in fines and community backlash. Take our assessment to understand whether your business may need to file Tier II or TRI reports and what steps you need to take to stay compliant.

5. Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule

The SPCC rule requires businesses that store large quantities of various oils or petroleum products to develop and implement an SPCC Plan. This applies if you store oil above certain thresholds, even if you don’t think you’re at risk for a spill!

Why it matters: Oil spills can have devastating effects on the environment and cost your business millions in fines and cleanup costs. Try our quiz to assess if your business might be required to have an SPCC plan.

How Do I Know What Applies to Me?

When it comes to environmental regulations, it can be challenging to know which rules apply to your specific business. Luckily, there are two reliable ways to figure it out:

1. Start with Our Free Online Environmental Assessment Tool
   Our tool is an excellent starting point - it’s designed around the "big 5" we covered here to help you quickly and easily identify which environmental regulations are most likely to apply to your business based on the information you provide. This 5-minute free assessment asks 10 quick, general questions about your operation - then instantly provides you a customized report showing a snapshot of your possible compliance needs, making it easy to take the first steps toward meeting your obligations. We'll even throw in a starting quote in case you want us to take over the whole show and handle everything for you!

2. Get a Professional Environmental Audit
   While our online tool is a fantastic resource, the best way to be 100% sure about your business’s compliance needs is to schedule a professional environmental audit. Our team of experts can conduct a detailed, on-site review of your operations to ensure you’re following all the relevant regulations and offer tailored solutions to address any gaps in your compliance. An audit gives you peace of mind and ensures that nothing slips through the cracks.

Take the Next Step Toward Environmental Compliance

Understanding environmental regulations can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you start with our free online tool or schedule a professional audit, we’re here to help ensure your business is fully compliant.

At RMA, we’ve been helping businesses like yours stay ahead of regulations for decades. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you with your environmental compliance needs.