A standard is the mandated level of performance. Types of Standards Ambient standards are levels of pollution in the ambient environment that should never be exceeded. Ambient standards can not be enforced directly. Emission standards are levels of emissions that should never be exceeded by individual firms.
Emission standards make it hard control ambient environmental quality levels.
Technology standards specify the technology, techniques or other practices that potential polluters must use. Technology standards dictate how pollution will be reduced. Technology forcing is an approach to encourage the adoption of new technology by enforcing standards that are too stringent with current technology.