Environmental Acts and Treaties Timeline - Jade J. And Caitlin W.

Delaney Clause of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (US)

Sep 6, 1958

Prohibits the FDA from approving food additives. These additives cause cancer in humans or animals as indicated in testing.

Clean Air Act (US)

Dec 31, 1970

A comprehensive federal law that regulates all sources of air emissions, from both mobile and stationary sources. Some of these air emissions include carbon dioxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, etc.

Clean Water Act (US)

Oct 18, 1972

Primary federal law governing water pollution. Objective is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (INT)

Mar 3, 1973

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species regulates the trade of animals and plants to ensure their survival in the wild. It lists species in three appendecies based on their conservation status, with appendix one providing the greatest level of protection.

Endangered Species Act (US)

Dec 28, 1973

Protects threatened and endangered species and their habitats both domestically and abroad. Main provisions include listing, delisting, and reclassifying species.

Safe Drinking Water Act (US)

Dec 16, 1974

Principle federal law that sets standards for safe drinking water. Gives EPA the authority to establish minimum standards for tap water.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (US)

Oct 21, 1976

Set national goals for protecting human health and the natural environment from the potential hazards of waste disposal. Gives EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from cradle to grave.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability Act (US)

Dec 11, 1980

Also known as Superfund act, this authorizes the president to respond to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances into the environment. This act also enables the clean up of hazardous waste sites, accidents, and spills.

Montreal Protocol (INT)

Sep 16, 1987

Global agreement to protect the stratosphere ozone layer. Agreement includes phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances.

Kyoto Protocol (INT)

Dec 11, 1997

Called for reducing the emissions of gases that contribute to global warming. It reduces emissions of 6 greenhouse gases in 41 ocuntries, aimed to reduce them lower than the 1990 levels.