What's the difference between a standard, a regulation, and a rule?

There is a fine legal distinction between a standard and a regulation. A standard is promulgated under § 101 of the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) (30 U.S.C. 811) and includes MSHA health, safety, and training standards. A regulation is promulgated under § 508 of the Mine Act (30 U.S.C. 957) and includes MSHA approval requirements, petition for modification procedures, and civil penalty procedures. The "authority" under which a standard or regulation is promulgated is published at the end of the Table of Contents for each part (and for some subparts) of the 30 CFR. MSHA can write an "order" to close a mine for a violation of § 104 (d) or (e) of the Mine Act for standards, but not for regulations. MSHA can issue a "citation" for violation of either an MSHA standard or an MSHA regulation.



A rule, as defined under the Administrative Procedure Act, encompasses the development of a standard or regulation. A standard or regulation can be loosely referred to as a rule.