What is General Conformity?

General Conformity is the pollution prevention and control program that requires a federal agency to assure any proposed activity the agency proposes will conform to the purpose of applicable implementation plans and will not interfere with a State or Tribe's ability to attain and maintain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for air quality, as required under Clean Air Act (CAA) section 176(c).

Established under the CAA section 176(c)(4)), the General Conformity regulations at 40 CFR part 93 subpart B play an important role in helping States and Tribes to protect air quality within their jurisdiction and authority that do not meet the NAAQS (nonattainment areas) and areas of vulnerable air quality (maintenance areas). Under the General Conformity regulations, federal agencies must work with State, Tribal, and local agencies and governments when designing their projects that affect nonattainment or maintenance areas so that emissions caused by activities included in such projects, particularly construction activities, conform to the purpose of the air quality plans established within the applicable implementation plan.

EPA initially promulgated the General Conformity regulations under 40 CFR part 93 subpart B in 1993. Subsequently, EPA collected information from other federal agencies on how to maintain the same environmental protections while streamlining the General Conformity program process. This information was used to revise the General Conformity regulations.  After soliciting public comments, EPA issued final rule revisions on April 5, 2010.