Construction Sector Information
Overview
The Construction sector primarily includes establishments that:
conduct site preparation, development and building construction (NAICS 236);
subdivide real property and construct energy, water, transportation and other infrastructure (NAICS 237);
perform specialty activities such as new work, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs (NAICS 238).
Additional establishments that relate to the construction are the real estate sector and business that underwrite insurance for construction and development projects (NAICS 524), finance building and infrastructure projects (NAICS 525), and manage constructed buildings (NAICS 531).
Basic EPA Regulatory Information
The Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Health and Safety Administration and EPA are the primary federal agencies that regulate the construction sector. State and local government have significant regulatory and permitting authority over construction projects.
The following links are intended to be helpful to Smart Sectors partners and the public who are interested in learning more about how EPA works with the construction sector.
- Basic regulatory information
- Information about stormwater discharges from construction
- EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance's summary of federal environmental requirements for construction (PDF)
EPA Resources
- Smart Growth — EPA’s Smart Growth program covers a range of development and conservation strategies that help protect our health and natural environment to make our communities more attractive and economically stronger.
- SmartWay Transport — EPA’s SmartWay Transport program helps companies advance supply chain sustainability by measuring, benchmarking and improving freight transportation efficiency. Any company or organization that ships, manages or hauls freight in its operations can become an EPA SmartWay Partner.
- ENERGY STAR — ENERGY STAR is an EPA voluntary program that helps businesses and consumers save energy and money.
- WaterSense — EPA’s WaterSense label makes it simple to find water-efficient products, new homes and programs that meet EPA’s criteria for efficiency and performance.
- EPA information about radon — You can't see or smell radon; testing is the only way to know your level of exposure. Radon can have a big impact on indoor air quality.
- Sustainable Materials Management Prioritization Tools — Free, life cycle-based tools that offer a starting place to establish priorities for environmental improvement, focus limited financial and human resources where action could offer greater holistic benefit, and consider key industries for collaboration.