Web Guide

Recent Additions | Contact Us Search:

Content Requirements

• Choose an area name that reflects the area's topic, not the organization providing the information.
• The area name must accurately portray the scope of the information covered.
• Use the same area name on all pages within an area.

Regional area names must include the Region's identifier (either name - "New England," or number - "Region10").

• Do not include the names of organizational units other than Regions, unless the organization itself is the subject of the area.
• While meeting the requirements above, keep area names as short as possible.

Style Requirements

• EPA styles are applied when the Area Name is added where indicated (WebCMS or template)
• Use initial capital letters; do not use all upper or lower case.
• When the area name contains an acronym, spell the term or name out and put the acronym at the end in parentheses. You may then use the acronym in the text and sidebars without spelling it out.

Content Requirements

• Every Web area, including a database if you have defined it as a Web area, must have a page called "Basic Information:"
  • It must provide a simple explanation of background information relevant to the topic of the Web area
  • It must be written at a level understandable by the general public.
  • The left sidebar must link to it.

• A Basic Information page must answer questions like the following, although a question-and-answer format is not required:
  • What's the issue?
  • Why should people care?
  • What is EPA doing about it? (e.g., regulations, partnerships, outreach, enforcement, research, grants)
  • What are others doing about it? (e.g., other federal agencies, states/counties etc., NGOs, voluntary partnerships)
  • What can you (as a person or as an organization) do about it?
  • What are some other resources to learn more (including non-EPA Web sites)?

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• Boxes serve specific functions.  For each function, use the appropriate box listed below
  • Multi-purpose Box:  Used on any page.  Always right aligned.  Typically at or near the top of the page.  Content may include such things as:
    • Featured item
    • Glossary
    • Figure list
    • Upcoming events
    • Procedure list
    • List of links other than to national information (e.g., table of contents or related links)
  • National Information Box: Used on regional pages to link to related national information. Always right aligned.  Typically at or near the top of the page.  Heading text is always “National Information.”
  • Simple or Temporary Information Box: Used on any page. Right aligned. Used to set apart a small amount of information or to periodically feature temporary information such as events, notices, new content, etc.
  • Highlight Box: Used on national or regional pages. Boxes are left or center aligned.  Used to emphasize and call out any information or links and provide some variety in page layout. Four format options are available:
    • Gray:  Default box.  Used on any page.
    • Green:  Used on regional or national pages
    • Blue:  Used only on national pages (Use on a regional page will diminish the effectiveness of the easily identifiable National Information Box).
    • Without a Header:  Used on any page.
  • Emergency Alert Box: Used on any page.  Right aligned. Used only for emergency information.  Use of the Emergency Alert Box on a persistent basis is discouraged as it will diminish its effect of being highly noticeable.
  • Pull Quote Box: Used on any page.  Right aligned.  Used to highlight a quote or other short passage.  Includes option to note author.
  • PDF Disclaimer Box: Use on any page including PDF or other Non-HTML links. Right or center aligned. Content describes how to obtain a free reader for the filetype.  Using a box for the PDF disclaimer is not required.
  • Quick Finder Box:   Used on any page, required on homepages.  Left aligned at the top of the page.  Used to provide links to the most frequent or useful program or regional content.
  • Homepages (Template 4), the Quick Finder is the first element when a banner isn't used or second element when a banner is used.
  • Homepages (Template 3.2), the Quick Finder is at the top and left aligned
  • On other pages, the quick finder is left aligned at the top of the page.
  • Image Box (with or without a caption):  Used to contain an image. May be left, right or center aligned. The box is only required if a caption is included.  It is optional without a caption.
• Within the new template, boxes have separate heading and content sections, except for the following types:
• Simple or temporary information (heading is optional)
• Highlight box (heading is optional)
• Pull quote
• Image
• PDF disclaimer /Non-HTML file information

Style Requirements

• Styles for boxes and their contents are established by the standard style sheet.  An optional smaller text size is available for lists within boxes.
• When using a Quick Finder box, your Content and Infrastructure Coordinators may grant an exemption to the use of the style sheet if the style does not meet your page layout needs.
• Homepage Quick Finders must meet the following criteria:
• First element on the page when a banner is not used.
• Second element if a banner is used.
• Left Aligned
• Use the Quickfinder code in the TROPO Template. Styles are applied by the stylesheet.
• Limit to 20 links
• Include white header text “Quick Finder”
• Do not use boxes other than those in this standard.

Content Requirements

• The breadcrumbs for each page begin with a link to the EPA home page and ends with the page's name (or a short form of the page's name):
  EPA Home > (overarching areas if appropriate) > Area Name > Part Name > (part divisions if appropriate) > page name
  
• In some cases, there will be large, overarching areas between the EPA home page and the relevant area; local webmasters determine what to include in the breadcrumbs. Similarly, if a part of an area is split into smaller divisions, they should appear as well.
• Each level of the breadcrumbs, other than the last, links to the home page or equivalent for that level of the hierarchy. The text used for each level of the breadcrumbs must match or closely correspond to the <title> tag and the page name for those pages. However, since breadcrumbs are intended to be short, abbreviations or alternate forms will often be appropriate.
• The last breadcrumb indicates the current page and is not a link. It must match or closely correspond to the <title> tag and page name for the current page.

Style Requirements

• Breadcrumbs appear in a location and style determined by the master template. Do not change the style or location.
• If long enough, breadcrumbs will wrap to more than one line, but there is no special coding required or appropriate to make this happen.
• Capitalize only the first letter of major words; do not use all capital letters.
• Breadcrumbs are separated by standard characters; see the "How To" section for details. Do not change the separators.

Content Requirements

• Use charts to present large amounts of data in a compact, visual format. Charts are best at showing patterns, not individual data points.
• Present four or fewer data points in text rather than in a chart or graph.
• Provide the source for the information presented in charts, maps and graphs whenever possible.
• Do not display information in 3-D.
• Do not rely solely on color to differentiate the data. Note that Section 508 requires that "Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for example from context or markup."
• Avoid using acronyms on maps, graphs and charts
• Spell out units of measurement. For example, spell out million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions rather than using the acronym MMTCO2E. If there isn't room on the image itself, include an acronym legend beneath the graphic.
• When presenting charts that cannot be read at small screen sizes, either:
  • present a large version of a map, graph or chart on the page (keeping the file size as small as possible) with no text wrapping or
  • present a smaller, potentially illegible version (thumbnail) of the graphic, with a "view larger version of image" link beneath it that takes visitors to a pop-up window or new page that displays a larger version of the graphic
• Ensure that your maps, charts and graphs comply with section 508 by providing equivalent information to visually-impaired visitors. Options include:
  • Provide the text equivalent of the information:
    • in the alt text for the graphic,
    • elsewhere on the page, or
    • on a separate page that the viewer can access by clicking on the graphic (see the Examples section below).
  • Provide in the alt text an alternative source for detailed information, such as a phone number that the viewer can call to receive further information about the contents of the graphic.

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• None

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• Each Web area must provide a page with contact information specific to that area. If necessary to meet staffing limits, you may group contact information for several related Web areas on one page, provided that the contacts listed can respond to inquiries on all linked areas.
• Contact Us links are required at the top and bottom of every EPA Web page, a shown in the master template. Both links must point to the same page.
• Contact Us links must point to an actual Web page, not simply to an email address (a " mailto:" ; link).
• Do not link to the main EPA comments page.
• The Contact Us page must include the following means of contacting the area's owner:
• mailing address
• phone number
• online form for sending questions or comments. The online form's fields must fit on a 800-pixel-wide screen without side scrolling. Keep in mind that the left sidebar takes up about 140 pixels. If you are providing a link to the Enterprise Customer Service Solution (aka the online FAQ system), your page doesn't need a form.
• It's recommended, but not required, that you include an email address.
• Contact information may refer to a group or hotline rather than a specific person. However, all email addresses provided must be within EPA.
• If the online form is on a page other than the "Contact Us" page, then the form must be accompanied by an email address for use in case the form fails to work.
• As with all online forms, the user must receive a follow up page thanking the person for writing.

Style Requirements

• Links to "Contact Us" pages use the style shown in the master template..

Content Requirements

• When providing email addresses, link to the person's name, not the address.
• Show the email address as unlinked text in parentheses following the name.

Style Requirements

• Use normal link colors.

Content Requirements

• None

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• None

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• Each Web area must include a page that appears when someone follows a broken link into that area.
• The error page must provide useful links, including at minimum a link to the area's home page in the main body.
• Optionally, you may include an HTML form that sends an error report to the developer. After submitting the form, the thank you page must include useful links

Style Requirements

• The error page that appears after following a broken link into a Web area must use the same template as that area.

Content Requirements

• Global footer
  The global footer contains several links using graphics and text. Do not change anything except where specified below.
  • EPA home page. Links to http://www.epa.gov/ . Do not change anything about this link.
  • Privacy and Security Notice. Links to the Agency's formal disclaimer ( http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/usenotice.htm ). Do not change anything about this link.
  • Contact Us. This links to the same contact page as the Contact Us link near the top of each Web page. Both the top and bottom links must point to the same contact page.
  • In the WebCMS, the global footer can not be modified except to add the contact us link.


• Area footer
  • An area footer is not required but may be appropriate. If created, it must appear on every page within an area.
  • Links that are relevant to the content of every page in the area but are not primary navigation may appear in an area footer.
  • The following links are recommended, but not required, for the area footer:
    • frequent questions (this is standard terminology; don't use "FAQ" or "Frequently Asked Questions")
    • a link to the the home page of a higher (overarching) area.
    If using the latter, provide the name of the page (e.g., "Water Home") rather than using text like "up one level" or "back to home" - many people will reach EPA pages through search engines, and terms like those will not be meaningful to them.

Style Requirements

• Global footer: use the standard styles specified in the master template.
• Area footer: There is no standard method for separating the area footer from the content section, but some form of separation is required (e.g., a graphic line, a hard rule, extra white space, etc.). Regardless of how it is separated from the content above it, the area footer appears near the bottom of the page, with only the footer image and global footer below it.

Content Requirements

• Do not use frames

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• File size
  • Reduce file size as much as possible while retaining acceptable visual quality.
  • To avoid long download times, make the total size for a page as small as possible, including the HTML and all graphics files.
  • Total file size for an entire HTML page, including all graphics, should not exceed 50KB.

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• Use only the GIF (.gif) or JPEG (jpg) format for graphics.
• Do not use other formats, such as PNG.

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• Your office Content Coordinator and the Office of Public Affairs must approve all program logos in advance. Note that OPA discourages the creation of program logos because they dilute the EPA brand.

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• Choose graphics that provide information, navigation, or visual organization, or serve some other obvious purpose.
• Use small graphics sparingly to add visual appeal, but choose images that are relevant to the page.  Avoid adding pictures just because they look pretty.
• Don't create graphics to display text.
• Captions and alternative text:
  • Provide text alternatives in compliance with section 508 accessibility standards.
  • In most cases, provide an explicit text caption and use empty alternative text (set alt="") so people with visual disabilities will not hear redundant information.
  • If the connection between image and nearby text content on the page is visually obvious, it is not necessary to provide a caption. However, if a caption is not provided, you must then use alternative text to describe the image's contents or function for visually impaired visitors.
• Avoid infringing copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual property issues

Style Requirements

• Graphics at the top of the page must:
  • Be right‑aligned unless the right side is used for navigation (e.g., a highlights box is on the right).
  • Be no larger than 250 pixels wide by 250 pixels high.
  • Not be "splash" graphics or banners across the width of the page.
  • Use either the JPEG or GIF format.
    

• Graphics below the first screen must be:
  • sized appropriately for how you use them (a width of 200 pixels generally works well), and
  • aligned left or right with text wrapping around them.

• Caption text must use the standard caption style.

Content Requirements

• The main section of the home page should provide the following brief information, in this order:
  • a definition of the area's topic
  • a brief statement of the site's purpose or audience; if your intended audience is not the general public, say so explicitly, so that visitors who are not part of your intended audience don't waste their time navigating your site for the information they want. Avoid organizational information like mission statements, which belongs on the "about us" page.
  • Optionally, a brief description of what information is offered
  • links to the most sought-after information: categories, specific tasks, sidebar links (especially with more context), news items, etc.
• The home page must not have a page name because it would be redundant with the area name.
• OPA discourages program logos and all such logos must be approved by OPA.
• The home page must be written at a level understandable by the general public.
• If the home page is an HTML file, the file name must be index.htm or index.html. If the page is created using a database, use the default file name appropriate to that system.

Style Requirements

• Graphics on the home page must meet the graphic selection and page layout standard. Put text in the upper left corner and right-align any accompanying graphics.

Content Requirements

• Web pages aren't dependent on JavaScript to work: it is an enhancement
• Functions first check to see if an object is available. If not, then fail silently.
• HTML and JavaScript are separated--little or no inline event handlers.
• With JavaScript off, nothing happens--
• Does not rely on browser specific extensions.
• Do not rely on JavaScript for critical functions
• For example, if form entries must be validated before they go into a database, carry out that function on the server.
• Pages must work the same way without JavaScript enabled. At minimum, provide
• the same information and navigation options whether JavaScript is enabled or not
• a phone number or email address to get help



Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• Links must be adequately and properly described. Make sure that your visitor understands what type of information you're linking to (for example, report, brochure, Powerpoint presentation, etc.).
• Do not use short, non-descriptive phrases like "click here" or "available online."
• Whether linking externally or to another page within epa.gov, always link to the most relevant page. Whenever possible, avoid linking to agency or organization home pages.
• Links outside of epa.gov must meet the requirements and presentation set out by the External Site Links procedure.
• Link text must match your destination page; except in unusual circumstances, it should be the same or close to the destination page's name.
• When presenting lists of related links, use a description of the resource as the link text, but also provide the URL as unlinked text. Alternatively, you may code the page to display links as footnotes following the instructions for the EPA template.
• If you are developing a site for kids, students, and/or educators, consult the EPA educational site linking criteria set by EPA's Environmental Education Web Workgroup.

Style Requirements

• Use default link colors specified by the master style sheet for links (both visited and unvisited); do not modify these basic colors. However, you may use other colors to draw attention to a very small number of specific links.
• Do not use black as a link color because that is the normal unlinked text color.
• When providing lists of links as references, include URLs as plain unlinked text in parentheses after each link.

Content Requirements

• None

Style Requirements

• Styles for bulleted lists and numbered lists are established by the standard style sheet.

Content Requirements

• Use standard maps to display geographic information. Color relevant areas appropriate to the data being displayed.
• When using maps to link to regional information, follow the requirements in the Where You Live standard.
• When using the national maps, refer to the standard files instead of making your own copy.
• When using maps as Web navigation, use the standard image map code, changing only the destination URLs.

Style Requirements

• If there are states or regions for which no information is available, create a new map from the original and gray out those areas. In text above the map, "No information is available for grayed-out regions."
• Do not use mouse-overs to differentiate map areas.

Content Requirements

• All national information, and only national information, must appear in a Web area that is not specific to any one EPA region or area of the country.
• All regional information, and only regional information, must appear in a Web area with a template that indicates it is limited in geographic scope.
• Regions may develop national Web areas and headquarters may develop regional Web areas, depending on the nature of the topic, funding, organizational agreements, etc.

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• Avoid opening new browser windows.
• In some cases it may be appropriate to open a new browser window. if:
  • your page links to a Web-based application (such as a pollution reduction calculator), or
  • the external Web page you are linking to does not offer visitors the option to use the "back" button to return to your page

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• Using a "NEW" icon is optional, but if you choose to use one, follow the directions below and these requirements.
• Use only one or two "NEW" icons on a page; too many create clutter and reduce their effectiveness.
• Do not write text that redundantly suggests newness, e.g., "EPA today initiated ..." (see the Timeless Text standard)
• Note: the "NEW" icon will not appear on browsers that do not have Javascript enabled. Do not attempt to provide a non-Javascript alternate; this is not a critical loss of content.

Style Requirements

• Use the standard code to display the standard "NEW" icon.

Content Requirements

• The page name should clearly indicate the page's topic. Viewers coming to the page straight from a search engine should be able to understand where they are within epa.gov by reading the area name and the page name. Keep in mind that many viewers will not see the breadcrumbs; breadcrumbs are not sufficient by themselves to provide context.
• The page name must either match or closely correspond to the text used in the <title> tag and the last breadcrumb.
• On area home pages, do not provide a page name, because it would be redundant with the area name. On pages other than the area home page, provide a page name unless a good reason exists why one is not needed.

Style Requirements

• Use the formatting provided in the template. Do not change the justification, size, or other attributes; change only the text to reflect the page's subject.

Content Requirements

• When providing PDFs, include the title of the document and the acronym "PDF" in parentheses in the link text.
• After the link, show the number of pages and file size as unlinked text, separated by commas, in parentheses. Provide a link to EPA’s “About PDF” page (http://www.epa.gov/epahome/pdf.html) on any Web page that links to PDFs. There are two ways to do this:
  • Long disclaimer: Provide the following disclaimer text (or similar language) in a box or paragraph:
    You will need the free Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
  • Inline disclaimer: When the long version is problematic, or where you have only a few PDFs linked, you may link to the “About PDF” page by adding "About PDF" as the last item in parentheses after the link.
• For large pages (e.g. for a poster), also provide paper dimensions inside the parentheses.
• If you are providing the same content in multiple formats, the title line should link to the HTML version, followed by links to the PDF.
  • When possible, offer a link to the PDF from the HTML version.
• If you are posting a non-accessible PDF and you are not posting the same content in some other accessible format (e.g. HTML or text), provide contact information. (If you include an email address, follow the EPA standard for linking to email addresses.

Style Requirements

• The long disclaimer may appear:
  • at the top of a page that includes many PDFs,
  • right before a paragraph or list of PDFs, or
  • immediately before the first reference to a PDF
• Beginning with template version 3, if a box is used for long disclaimers, use the right-aligned box (style class="disclaimer") or the centered box (style class="disclaimer-wide").
• If you post contact information and you are using the long disclaimer, you may provide contact information in the same box or paragraph as the long disclaimer.
• When the box is problematic to the design of the page, the box is not required. The disclaimer text is always required.
• For the number of pages, use "1 pg" for a single page. For multiple pages, use "XX pp" with a space between the number and "pp".
• For file size, use "K" for files smaller than 1000K and "MB" for files larger than 1000K. For MB, use at most one decimal place. Do not put a space between the number and "K" or "MB."
• You may code the file size information in parentheses to appear in a smaller font. Beginning with template version 3, use the style (class="fileinfo") to make the text smaller.

Content Requirements

• By default, present information in HTML, not PDF. If desired, you may also provide a PDF version, linked from all of the following:
  • the same places where you link to the HTML version
  • the top of the HTML version
• You are allowed to publish information in PDF without an HTML version if:
  • the document is longer than 5 pages, or
  • you need to preserve the formatting or layout of the original document (e.g. for printing), or
  • you need to publish a paper document that has been scanned and for which no electronic version exists.
  • you are providing a fillable PDF form.
• When linking to a PDF, you must follow the PDF Linking Standard.
• Create a document description with the following at minimum:
  • Title is important and should be understandable. Include a date if possible (Month, Year)
  • Author and the organization that published the document. Include US EPA, AAship or Region, Office or Program, Division. Only rarely will you use an individual author's name.
  • Subject should be a short, descriptive summary of the document. Can be the same as the Title field.
  • Keywords should be specific and descriptive. Use lower case. Separate words with commas but no spaces (e.g: pesticides,chemicals,methods,study). Phrases (e.g., Memorandum of Understanding) can be used as one keyword. Use at least two keywords and no more than ten.

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• Use pop-ups only if the information in a pop-up relates back to the information in the existing window (for example, to define words).

• Whenever possible, use text identifiers to warn your visitors that clicking on a particular link, or on some or all of the links on your page, may open a pop-up.

Style Requirements

• Pop-ups must not incorporate the standard EPA templates
• Use a white background
• Use standard fonts
• Provide an explicit link that will close the window

Content Requirements

• None

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• None

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• Each Web area may, but is not required to, provide a "Recent Additions" page that lists items most recently added to the Web area. When provided:
  • The Recent Additions link is specific to the area -- it may not point to recent additions for other Web areas, although the actual Recent Additions page itself may provide such a link.
  • Use "Recent Additions" everywhere, not "What's New:" title tag, breadcrumbs, page name, and links into the page.
  • Keep the Recent Additions page up-to-date so that it only describes or links to items added to the Web area within the past six months.

Style Requirements

• Put the link where shown in the master template. If an area does not feature a Recent Additions page, remove the link and the text.
Use normal link styles.

Content Requirements

• The Regional bridge page serves as the home page for Regional information about the topic; therefore, it must meet the Home Page standard.
• The page also must link to national information about a topic:
  • Do not change the breadcrumbs on the Regional bridge page; we no longer use double breadcrumbs.
  • If the Regional bridge page is:
    • related to only one national topic, copy the links from the national left sidebar into a right sidebar box. Use all of the top-level national links; it is optional to include links under a heading in the sidebar.
    • related to more than one topic, link to the home pages of those topics from a right sidebar box.
• Each region should use the same set of national links.

Style Requirements

• Use an appropriate template, even if the Regional bridge page is being maintained by a headquarters office.
  • If there is sufficient depth of information about a topic within a Region, create a Web area for it and use the same template for the bridge page.
  • If the topic is already incorporated within an existing Regional Web area, use that template for the bridge page.
• Use a "national information" box to provide links to national pages on the topic. The box title must be "National Information". See the Boxes standard for details.

Content Requirements

• Use fewer words than in a print document.
• For documents with many sections, follow the standard for table of contents and links to "Top of Page"

Style Requirements

• Use headings, subheadings, and bolding to make the page's structure clear. Avoid underlining because it makes text look like a link. Avoid italics for long passages because they are hard to read.
• Use lists and sub-lists: use ordered lists when you need to convey how many items there are or to put items in a specific order.
• Use if … then tables to convey complex conditional statements.

Content Requirements

• The left sidebar must be identical on all pages within a Web area. All content within an area will use the same area name and sidebar; if one changes, the other must change.
  
  
• Conventions for left sidebar standards and navigation:
  • Use an ampersand (&) in place of "and" or "/"
  • Capitalize the first letter of all major words. Do not use all caps.
  • Do not use acronyms unless (a) the acronym is more familiar than the phrase the acronym stands for (e.g., "PCBs" is a more familiar term than "polychlorinated biphenyls") or (b) the acronym is explained in the navy-blue lozenge at the top of the page (see the PBT home page as an example).
  • Any text used on the left sidebar must be an active link.
  • A background image provides the graphic backing for the sidebar. Do not download or modify the image or change the code that refers to it.
    
    
• Sidebar links connect only to other pages within the Web area, not to any other pages on EPA's or other sites, with two exceptions:
  • they may connect directly to the home pages of areas lower or higher in a logical hierarchy; and
  • they may connect to related kids' sites.
    
    
• Multi-level, hierarchical links are allowed. Each heading must be a link, typically to a page providing more context about the options under that heading. Indent each lower level link two spaces using codes and link these codes as well as the text. Note that the same links must appear in the sidebar on all pages within an area; do not create different sidebar hierarchies for different parts within one area. To display different hierarchical links within various parts, create a horizontal task bar or use another navigation scheme. If every part has a substantial hierarchy, consider creating areas for them.
  
  
• Standard sidebar language/primary terms: the following links are required in the sidebar in the following order:
  • a link to the home page of a Web area, with the link text "[Subject area] home." The description of the subject should match the area name provided in the navy-blue lozenge at the top of the page. Lengthy subject names may be handled by including an acronym in parentheses in the lozenge and then using the acronym by itself in the link.
  • a link to a page providing general information about the subject, with the link text "Basic Information." The Basic Information page provides national (versus regional or local) information about a subject.
  • a link to a "Where You Live" page that should provide information related to a particular geographical location or region of the country. "Where You Live" pages should include a Regional or state-by-state map that links to Regional or local information about the subject. If no Regional information exists, the Where You Live link is not required.
  • a link to a “Recent Additions page that lists items most recently added to the Web area in reverse chronological order. If a web area does not have a Recent Additions page, the Recent Additions link is not required.
  • The links described in the three bullets above should appear as the top links in the sidebar in this order:
    • [Subject] Home
    • Basic Information
    • Where You Live (optional)
    • Recent Additions (optional)
  • The AA/RA homepage template includes a standard link to the EPA for Students and Educators. If kids pages relevant to the AAship or Region exist, the link should be in the content of the homepage.
  
  
• Standard sidebar language/secondary terms: These are to be used on both national and regional pages as needed. Use the specific wording provided below, but in an order appropriate to the topic. Although these terms are displayed below alphabetically, they do not need to be listed in your sidebar alphabetically.
  • A to Z Subject Index. Links to subject index for the lozenge topic. Harmonizes "A-Z Index" and "Subject Index," both of which are currently used on EPA's site.
  • Calendar. More inclusive than coming events; includes public notice periods, etc.
  • Compliance Help. Intended for information to help industry and individuals comply or remain in compliance with regulatory and non-regulatory requirements. Content may range f rom plain-language guidance to self-auditing tools to formal regulatory assistance.
  • En Español. Not "Spanish" – use if there are Spanish documents on the topic.
  • Enforcement. Intended for information about civil, criminal and/or cleanup enforcement initiatives, activities and actions. This should be differentiated from information designed to help the regulated community be in compliance.
  • Environmental Effects. Includes environmental impacts specific to your topic.
  • Frequent Questions. Do not use the FAQs acronym because usability testing shows not everyone knows what it stands for. This phraseology makes the point, yet fits on one line in the sidebar.
  • Glossary. Definitions of key terms.
  • Grants & Funding. Resource information related to the topic.
  • Human Health. Includes health information and impacts specific to your topic.
  • Laws, or Regulations & Standards, or Laws & Regulations. Select the most appropriate term; use "Laws and Regulations" if you have content covering both areas. Regulations and standards are issued under a law or statute authority.
  • Newsroom. Links to news releases, etc. (differentiates from "new pages on the site," which are linked from "Recent Additions.").
  • Partnerships. Information about partnerships and partners who work with us on a topic. May include: government, non-government organizations, companies, other "stakeholders," etc.
  • Policy, or Guidance, or Policy & Guidance. Select the most appropriate term; use "Policy & Guidance" if you have content covering both areas. Usually relates to regulatory and official policy guidance of the agency; distinct from "general" guidance, guidance on "how you can help," etc.
  • Publications. Links to listing of EPA produced material including videos and CD-ROMs as well as all printed material. Most items under this heading will also be linked from more specific locations related to each document (e.g., a pamphlet on testing for lead in drinking water will be linked from the publications list and from pages providing specific information about that subject.
  • Related Links. Related links within and outside EPA.
  • Science, or Technology, or Science & Technology. Select the most appropriate term. Use "Science" to cover science and research content. Use "Technology" for strictly application content. Use "Science & Technology" if you have content covering both areas.
  • Site Map. Links to a site map page, if you choose to create one. The site map should be at the national level and include regional content.
  • What You Can Do. Actions, activities, ways to help for general public, students, etc.
  
  
• Links prohibited from sidebars:
  • Graphics, except for icon links to kids' pages
  • Links to the normal "Contact Us" page that provides ways to contact the staff running the Web area.
    • NOTE: You may link to lists of program contacts. Label these links with specific descriptions like "State Contacts" as opposed to "Contacts" or "Contact Us." In that case, link back and forth between those other contacts pages and the "Contact Us" page. If you are soliciting comments, then use sidebar language like "Send Comments" or "Comment on the rule" instead of "Contact Us."
  • Links to searches or search boxes
  • Links to PDF files.

Style Requirements

• The standard style sheet specifies white bold 9-point Arial for sidebar links.
• Sidebar content should be organized and spaced following the style requirements located on the coding the sidebar page.
• The left sidebar has a dark blue background (hex: #336699)
• Left sidebar links appear as 9 pt. bold Arial without underlining. Except as discussed below, they are double-spaced using the <div> tag as defined in the standard style sheet, and there are no horizontal lines. Do not insert blank lines in the sidebar.
• When the visitor points to a link, it changes to light blue (hex: #90F0FF)
• For link text that stretches onto more than one line, indent each subsequent line two spaces using &nbsp; codes; the heading itself must also be a link.
• If there is a link to the home page of a higher (overarching) area, then that link should appear directly below the EPA seal, followed by a thin horizontal line (HTML code: <hr size="1">), followed by a link to the area's own home page.

Content Requirements

• On pages with more than one main section that are more than two screenfuls long:
  • Write a short blurb for the page (one sentence may be sufficient) unless the information presented on the page is completely intuitive.
  • After the introduction, create a bulleted table of contents with links to each heading. If the page presents questions and answers, the links will be to the questions.

Style Requirements

• Items in the table of contents use the default text and link style.  Do not use headings or bold text.
• If the only links at the top of the page are within the table of contents, there is no heading or description before the table of contents.  If there are other links provided at the top of the page, then precede the table of contents with the following in bold text: "On this page"
• There is a hard rule between the end of all links at the top of a page and the first content section. Each section's heading uses an HTML heading (e.g., <h3>) sized appropriately to the content.
• At the end of each section, add a link to "Top of page" followed by a horizontal rule

Content Requirements

• None

Style Requirements

• Text Styles. Use the fonts and styles specified in the style sheet for all text appearing on a page, including headings, in all sections of the page. Variations on these standard styles must be approved by the Office of Public Affairs
• Text colors. Use black, the default color specified by the master style sheet, for non-linked text.. Other colors may be used sparingly to highlight short pieces of text, but do not use variations of blue or purple for non-linked text because those colors indicate links.
• Do not use text smaller than 10 pt. for text passages or 8 pt. for highlights, link boxes, etc.

Content Requirements

• For every form, create a page that thanks the person for submitting the information and offers links to continue browsing. At a minimum, offer a link to the area's home page in the main body.

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• Avoid words like today, recently, etc.
• Use specific dates.
• Consider flagging new content with the "NEW" icon (see the "NEW" icon standard)
• News releases, fact sheets issued in conjunction with new rules, and other content not intended to be updated should carry the date of issuance at the top of the page body.
• Rules and other binding documents, both draft and final, must carry the publication date at the top of the page body.

Style Requirements

• Use normal text

Content Requirements

• Every HTML or CFML page must include a <title> tag unique to that page.
• For pages other than area home page, the title tag contains exactly three elements that appear in this order (specific to general):
  • the name of the page (if helpful to the reader, combine overarching concepts with the literal name of the page)
  • the relevant area name
  • "US EPA"
• For area home pages, the title tag contains exactly two elements that appear in this order (specific to general):
  • the relevant area name
  • "US EPA"
• Do not include anything else in the title tag.

Style Requirements

• Use plain language phrases
• Avoid acronyms
• Separate the elements are with " | " - note the space on either side of the | character.
• Use initial capital letters instead of all upper or lower case (except for "US EPA")

Content Requirements

• None

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• Every Web area that provides information more localized than the national level must include a page with links to information by region, state or some other relevant area. This information is typically, but not necessarily, owned by EPA Regional offices.
• The page name is "Where You Live"
• The sidebar must link to this page (follow the sidebar standard).
• Normally, the Where You Live page does not include content.
• The level of the information (state or Regional) must be made clear in introductory language on the page before the links to localized information.
• Under normal circumstances, the page must offer the standard US map and image map code to link to localized information. The page may also offer an alphabetized list of states in either an HTML form or as a list of text links.
  • If information is available at the state level, each state must link to information about that state.
  • If information is available at the EPA Regional level, each state must link to the appropriate Regional bridge page.
  • If information is available at both levels, then states on the map and text list must link to state information. On the map, the circular icons representing each Region must link to the appropriate Regional bridge page.
  • When information is not available for a particular state or Region, those areas must be grayed out on the map and omitted from the state list. Introductory text must explain that no information is available for grayed-out areas on the map.
• In special cases, customized maps may be created. See the waiver section.
• If there is no specific information available below the national level, provide Regional contacts if possible. In such cases, the national program and the Regions must decide whether to provide contact information directly on the Where You Live page or on Regional bridge pages; it is recommended, but not required, that the same system be used for all Regions.
• If there is truly no Regional information, the Where You Live page may be omitted.

Style Requirements

• None

Content Requirements

• Writing must:
  • be clear, concise, and well-organized.
  • be written at a level appropriate to the primary audiences, except home pages and Basic Information pages, which must be written at a level understandable by the general public.
  • follow rules of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization.
  • be as comprehensive as possible.
  • not contradict or duplicate other EPA information without explanation.
  • spell out acronyms the first time they appear on each Web page.
• After the first reference to an EPA Region, list the states in that Region in parentheses. Note that this list is built into regional templates.

Style Requirements

• Use ampersands only when they are part of a formal name (e.g., C&O Railroad) or when space is at a premium (e.g., in the left sidebar). Otherwise, spell out the word "and."
• Spell out whole numbers below 10, but use figures for 10 and above. Common exceptions to this rule: a 5-year-old girl, 3 percent, 6 cents; another common exception is that a number at the beginning of a sentence should be spelled out, regardless of value: Twelve programs contributed to this project.
• Follow the Policy and Implementation Guide for Communications Product Development and Approval writing style standards.