Federal Statutes & Directives
EPA's open data sharing operates in alignment with federal open data statutes and directives. Learn more about federal open data requirements.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Government Directive (M-10-06) | Prior to the OPEN Government Data Act, in 2009 the Office of Management and Budget released the Open Government Directive (M-10-06). This directive tells federal agencies how to apply the rules of transparency, participation, and collaboration. To comply with this directive, EPA released five Open Government Action Plans. EPA Open Government Action Plan 5.0 remains published. |
| Open Government Data Act | Passed in 2016, this Act requires government data assets to be published in an open, machine-readable format. It also requires agencies to publish enterprise data inventories via Data.gov. |
| 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act | The 21st Century IDEA enacted in 2018, aims to make using digital media from the government better. It also supports requirements for federal public websites. Read EPA's response to the IDEA act. |
| Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 | Signed into law in January 2019, the Evidence Act incorporates the Open Government Data Act and includes many of the suggestions of the U.S. Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking (2017). This law applies the use of evidence and data to develop policies and evaluate and improve programs across the federal government. It requires all agencies to designate senior officials (Chief Data Officer, Evaluation Officer, Statistical Officer), establish a data governance body, and develop evidence-based policy and review plans as part of regular business. The law also requires the creation of learning agendas designed to:
OMB Memoranda M-19-23 and M-25-05 provide additional guidance to agencies on steps they must take to implement Evidence Act requirements. One of these requirements is to publish an Open Data Plan. EPA has published an Open Data Plan to define how the agency makes data available and is committed to transparency. Open data empowers our stakeholders, allows for innovation, and supports EPA's mission. |
| Federal Data Strategy and Action Plans | Issued in 2019, The Federal Data Strategy (M-19-18) describes the mission, principles, and a whole-of-government vision for federal data management. Issued in 2020 and 2021 respectively, the Action Plans identify concrete steps for agencies must take to achieve the vision. |