Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund, is a U.S. law enacted in 1980 to address hazardous waste sites. It establishes a framework for identifying, cleaning up, and preventing the release of toxic substances into the environment. CERCLA authorizes the federal government to respond to environmental emergencies and holds responsible parties liable for the cleanup costs. The law aims to protect public health and the environment from the dangers posed by contaminated sites and ensures that cleanup efforts are funded and managed effectively.