Voluntary Consensus Standards

Using Standards to Promote the Reuse of Rare Earth Materials

Reusing rare earths can help reduce the impacts of mining as well as increase the resiliency and security of the United States by ensuring access to these materials for new products.

Learn how EPA is using standards to promote the reuse of rare earths.
Using Standards to Protect Building Occupants from Wildfire Smoke

In 2020, EPA helped develop a guideline for protecting building occupants from smoke during wildfire and prescribed burn events.

Learn how EPA is using standards to protect building occupants from wildfire smoke.

EPA has a continuing commitment to using and participating in voluntary consensus standards and other private sector standards, as directed by the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act and other federal policies. As presented in OMB Circular A-119, the use of voluntary consensus standards whenever practicable and appropriate is intended to achieve the following goals:

Eliminating the cost to the federal government of developing its own standards and decreasing the cost of goods procured and the burden of complying with agency regulation.
Providing incentives and opportunities to establish standards that serve national needs, encouraging long-term growth for U.S. enterprises and promoting efficiency, economic competition, and trade.
Furthering the reliance upon private sector expertise to supply the Federal government with cost-efficient goods and services.

Please see OMB A-119 (PDF) Section 2A and B (p15) for a definition of standards, and Sections 2D and E (p16) for a definition of Voluntary Consensus Standards.

EPA Use of Standards

EPA uses voluntary consensus standards and other private sector standards in regulation, procurement, voluntary programs, research, policies and other activities. As of 2015, EPA’s regulations contained over 4,500 references to voluntary consensus standards and other private sector standards.

Voluntary Consensus Standards

Using Standards to Promote the Reuse of Rare Earth Materials

Using Standards to Protect Building Occupants from Wildfire Smoke

Please see OMB A-119 (PDF) Section 2A and B (p15) for a definition of standards, and Sections 2D and E (p16) for a definition of Voluntary Consensus Standards.

EPA Use of Standards

Key Laws and Policies

Additional Information

Voluntary Consensus Standards

Using Standards to Promote the Reuse of Rare Earth Materials

Using Standards to Protect Building Occupants from Wildfire Smoke

Please see OMB A-119 (PDF) Section 2A and B (p15) for a definition of standards, and Sections 2D and E (p16) for a definition of Voluntary Consensus Standards.

What's New?

EPA Use of Standards

Key Laws and Policies

Additional Information