40 CFR § 56.1 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t40/s56.1"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "40 CFR § 56.1 - Definitions."
title_number: 40
title_name: "Protection of Environment"
section_number: "56.1"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "AIR PROGRAMS"
part_number: "56"
part_name: "REGIONAL CONSISTENCY"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Sec. 301(a)(2) of the Clean Air Act as amended (42 U.S.C. 7601)."
regulatory_source: "45 FR 85405, Dec. 24, 1980, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "56"
---


# 56.1 Definitions.

As used in this part, all terms not defined herein have the meaning given them in the Clean Air Act.

*Act* means the Clean Air Act as amended (42 U.S.C. 7401 *et seq.*).

*Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Assistant Administrator, General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Regional Administrator, Headquarters, Staff Office, Operational Office,* and *Regional Office* are described in part 1 of this title.

*Mechanism* means an administrative procedure, guideline, manual, or written statement.

*Program directive* means any formal written statement by the Administrator, the Deputy Administrator, the Assistant Administrator, a Staff Office Director, the General Counsel, a Deputy Assistant Administrator, an Associate General Counsel, or a division Director of an Operational Office that is intended to guide or direct Regional Offices in the implementation or enforcement of the provisions of the act.

*Responsible official* means the EPA Administrator or any EPA employee who is accountable to the Administrator for carrying out a power or duty delegated under section 301(a)(1) of the act, or is accountable in accordance with EPA's formal organization for a particular program or function as described in part 1 of this title.