Definitions (Section 3)
CEPA 1999 defines 31 words or terms that have a particular meaning in the Act. This includes environmental terms such as:
- sustainable development;
- biological diversity;
- pollution prevention; and
- ecosystem.
The definitions of "environment" and "substance" are key to the operation of the Act. Both definitions are very broad in scope to avoid limiting the government's authority to prevent pollution from substances that could harm any component of the environment, including human health.