Review and Approval of Web Content
On this page:
- Social media
- Videos
- New or redesigned web areas in the WebCMS
- Content other than new or redesigned web areas in the WebCMS
- When PROTRAC is required
Social Media
Before developing any social media content, please contact your Communications Director, Public Affairs Director, and/or Web Council member. Your local reviewers and AO's Office of Web Communications must review and approve.
Note: If your social media post include multimedia content (video, infographics, GIFs, etc.), please follow the PROTRAC approval process described in the section below before posting to social media.
Videos, Infographics and Other Multimedia
Before developing any multimedia content (video, infographics, animation, GIFs, etc.), please contact your PROTRAC Approver, Communications Director, and/or Public Affairs Director. Your local reviewers and AO's Office of Multimedia (OM) must review and approve all stages of your content – concept, script, draft and final product; contact Jini Ryan in OM early in your development process. OM uses PROTRAC to track review of multimedia content.
- Video standards, guidelines and requirements are found on the OM Intranet website
- Access PROTRAC
New or Redesigned Web Areas in the WebCMS
What Does This Include?
- All new or redesigned web areas in the WebCMS.
- Developing a students' site? Please email Megan Gavin.
- Developing a site in a language other than English? Please contact Lina Younes and Angela Shogren.
Review and Approval Process
New or redesigned web areas should follow the guidance outlined below:
- Review One EPA Web guidelines and checklists
- See information about the Office of Web Communications Process for Web Area Review
As part of web content development, web areas must:
- be created in the Web Content Management System (WebCMS),
- follow the Microsite Format standard
- follow EPA Web Standards, including Image Guidance
Once the request for web area creation is approved, the web area will be added to the agency-wide Web Plan.
Editors in Chief
- Follow the Step-by-Step Guide for Editors-in-Chief, which breaks the work down into easy-to-understand tasks.
- Review OWC's page on Successfully Preparing Your Website for OWC Review and make sure you ALSO adhere to all standards and guidance listed at the bottom of that page.
OWC's Role
OWC will review and approve and review your web area request form and submit the request to WebCMS Support for the new web area to be created in the WebCMS.
Content Other Than New or Redesigned Web Areas in the WebCMS
What Does This Include?
- Any other NEW public-facing web content.
- Examples include new databases, StoryMaps, or other applications, mobile apps, special features, or fancy features not developed in the WebCMS (even if embedded on a WebCMS webpage or in an iFrame).
Review and Approval Process
- For StoryMaps, please see the StoryMap Guidance and Resources webpage and the Web Standard for StoryMaps.
- For all other content, please contact your Web Council representative and your Public Affairs Director or Communications Director at two points in the process:
- at the concept stage (do not proceed with development until you receive OWC approval), and
- close to launch (do not proceed with publication until you receive OWC approval).
- Web Council Members will review the content and coordinate with OWC on their review and approval (including an OPA review, if needed).
When PROTRAC is Required
The Office of Web Communications (OWC) does not review new or redesigned web areas through the PROTRAC tracking system. However,
- the Office of Multimedia (OPA / OM) requires that that video and print projects be submitted through PROTRAC, and
- your AAship or Region might require that you use PROTRAC for web, print or video. Please check with your communication staff.