The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA, also known as Superfund) was passed in response to a growing national concern about the release of hazardous substances to the environment.

National Contingency Plan:

The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), ( 40 CFR Part 300 ), provides the organizational structure and procedures for preparing and responding to discharges of oil and releases of hazardous substances.

National Priorities List:

CERCLA established a fund which is used by EPA or state and local governments to remediate hazardous waste sites which have been listed on the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL is comprised of a list of sites which require further evaluation and remediation. The EPA periodically updates the list by removing those sites which have been sufficiently remediated, and adds sites which have been identified as posing a threat to human health or the environment. Updates of these listings are published in the federal register.

Reportable Quantity Release:

CERCLA regulations designate hazardous substances and reportable quantities(RQs) for these substances ( 40 CFR Part 302 ). The regulations outline notification requirements in the event of a release of an RQ of a hazardous substance.

S.A.R.A.:

SARA of 1986 amended many provisions of CERCLA including those concerning cleanup standards, fund replenishment, settlement, state participation, federal facilities cleanup, and emergency planning and notification.