Guidance Document

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-012748",
  "term": "Guidance Document",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. EPA has prepared memos and documents that articulate EPA policies on a number of topics related to state authorization.\n\n2. A statement of clear and consistent agency practices for developing, issuing, and using guidance documents.\n\n3. Policy memorandum, an application for approval under this Part, or other technical or policy documents that supplement state laws and regulations. These documents provide direction with regard to how state agencies should interpret their permit program requirements and must be consistent with state laws and regulations.\n\n4. A document that empowers users to successfully and efficiently comply with the requirements of an EPA policy, standard, or procedure by providing assistance, transferring information, or offering advice. Scope Note: The CIO issues a guidance document to help EPA employees, contractors, and grantees successfully and efficiently comply with the requirements of the EPA Email Encryption Policy. The guidance document includes a recommended email template that a customer may use at his/her option to notify the appropriate Records and FOIA contacts after sending an encrypted message. It also provides best practices that users may implement at their discretion, such as cc-ing his/her front line supervisor when sending the encrypted email notification. The guidance includes a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers to offer customers in depth explanations and acceptable alternatives for meeting policy requirements. One of the FAQ answers contains a decision tree that visually depicts the different circumstances that require (or do not require) email encryption and the associated actions users must take. Furthermore, it presents a set of hypothetical examples to: 1) clarify requirements under different scenarios (e.g., the actions an HR official must take if he/she sends an employee’s social security number to a colleague over email), and 2) empower customers to develop their own solutions when needed. Finally, the guidance reminds users that the recommendations and information in the document are options to help them comply with the requirements of the EPA Email Encryption Policy.",
  "references": [
    "RCRA State Authorization Terms & Topics",
    "Docket-Related Terms",
    "40 CFR 239.2 (CFR 2013)",
    "Information Directives Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/guidance-document/"
}