The Clean Air Act, amended over time, sets standards for air quality, impacting industries to reduce emissions. EPA sets limits on certain air pollutants, including setting limits on how much of a pollutant is allowed in the air anywhere in the United States; EPA also limits emissions of air pollutants from certain sources. States and tribes may have stronger air pollution laws, but they may not have weaker pollution limits than those set by EPA. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six common air pollutants (also called “criteria air pollutants”). These pollutants are: carbon monoxide, lead, ground-level ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. EPA has set two types of NAAQS: primary standards to protect public health, including the health of sensitive populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly; and secondary standards to protect public welfare, including protection against decreased visibility and damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings.

The International Building Code (IBC) includes comprehensive fire safety standards for building materials and construction, updated regularly by the International Code Council (ICC). It addresses fire-resistance ratings, flame spread, smoke development, and other critical aspects of fire safety to protect occupants and minimize property damage. The IBC addresses fire safety issues in a number of ways, including: fire-resistant construction, fire suppression systems, means of egress, fire alarm and detection systems, smoke control, and hazardous materials handling and storage. The IBC requires that all building materials and assemblies meet certain fire-resistance standards and be tested in accordance with accepted industry standards. The IBC also requires that buildings be equipped with fire suppression systems such as sprinklers, standpipes, and fire extinguishers, to quickly extinguish a fire before it spreads. The IBC also requires buildings to have fire alarm and detection systems to alert occupants to the presence of a fire and initiate an evacuation. The IBC sets minimum requirements for the design and construction of buildings to ensure that occupants have adequate means of egress from the building in the event of a fire. The IBC also contains provisions for smoke control systems to prevent the spread of smoke throughout the building in the event of a fire. The IBC also regulates the handling and storage of hazardous materials to prevent fires and explosions.

The U.S. Department of Energy launched the National Blueprint for Lithium Batteries 2021-2030, to address the need for a domestic battery supply chain. This initiative supports research, development, and demonstration projects focused on improving battery technology and establishing recycling infrastructure, aiming to ensure a sustainable and secure battery supply chain. The main goals are to establish a secure domestic supply chain for lithium batteries, reduce reliance on foreign sources of critical materials, support domestic manufacturing, and promote environmentally responsible battery recycling and disposal methods. The key policies and actions involve funding research and development for advanced battery materials and technologies, providing grants and loans for battery manufacturing and recycling facilities, and developing standards for battery safety and performance.