Which kind of law governs policies about public health, protecting the environment, and workplace safety?

• A. Civic law
• B. Common law
• C. Administrative
• D. Criminal law

Answer: (C)

Administrative law governs how government agencies create and enforce rules that shape policies in areas like public health, environmental protection, and workplace safety. Agencies such as the EPA, OSHA, and the FDA issue regulations that have the force of law after due process, using procedures like notice-and-comment rulemaking, licensing, inspections, and adjudicatory hearings. This body of law focuses on the processes agencies follow to regulate, enforce, and resolve disputes over those rules. It differs from criminal law, which defines crimes and punishments, and from civil or common law, which deal with private disputes and court-made precedents. In this context, the policies governing health protections, environmental standards, and workplace safety are classic examples of administrative law in action.