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Web Standard: Boxes

Note

All EPA public and internal content pages and web applications are required to follow this standard. Your web application might not allow the use of boxes. 

On this page:

  • Definitions
  • Content Requirements

Definitions

Boxes highlight specific web content.

Content Requirements

  • Public web content must use the boxes found in the EPA stylesheet. They are part of the look and feel and are described fully at: Style Guide: Boxes (Public).
  • Internal web content must use the boxes found in the Intranet Style Guide. They are part of the look and feel and are described fully at: Style Guide: Boxes (Intranet).

Box Styles

Note: Boxes marked with an asterisk (*) are for both public and internal web content. Boxes not marked are for public web content.

  • Alert Box: Emergency alert or other important information. The title must convey the specific alert or emergency. Use on any page.
  • Perspectives Box: used to pull in EPA perspectives content. Used primarily on homepages.
  • *Highlight Box: to highlight one set of related, critical or featured content
  • *Multi-purpose box: For content that doesn’t meet any of the other definitions.
    • Without Title
    • With Header and Border
    • With Image Header
  • *News Box: Lists of recent events, news items, or upcoming calendar events.
  • No Style Box: For microsite homepages
  • *Related Information Box: lists of related information, that is not critical or featured content.
    • On Homepages: Do not use images because this is for less important content.
    • On Basic pages: can use an image if needed.
  • RSS Feed Box: used to pull RSS feeds from EPA newsroom. If 3rd party content is used, you are responsible for 3rd party content. Used primarily on homepages.
  • *Special One Item Box: Contains one link to one featured event or content feature.
  • *Summary Box (default): Identified by no title/header and blue background. 

Examples

  • See: Style Guide: Boxes (Public) for public web content.
  • See: Style Guide: Boxes (Intranet) for internal web content

About this Standard

All EPA public web content must adhere to all federal requirements including; the EPA Web Standards, the U.S. Web Design System guidelines, federal plain language guidelines, and the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act. Internal content, including Intranet and Microsoft 365, may differ from the public content. If not explicitly stated, content must adhere to all federal requirements.

Original effective date: 03/22/2009
Last approved on: 03/13/2024
Web Council review by:  03/13/2027 (or earlier if deemed necessary)

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Contact Us About Web Policies and Procedures
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on February 25, 2025
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