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Auditing
The EPA Audit Policy, "Incentives for Self-Policing: Discovery, Disclosure, Correction and Prevention of Violations," has been in effect since 1995. It reflects input from industry, trade associations, state environmental programs, and public interest groups. The Audit Policy is designed to provide incentives for regulated entities to come into compliance with the federal environmental laws and regulations. These incentives are for regulated entities that voluntarily discover, promptly disclose and expeditiously correct noncompliance, making formal EPA investigations and enforcement actions unnecessary.
In addition, EPA has developed a series of Environmental Auditing Protocols to assist the regulated community in developing self-audit programs at individual facilities for evaluating their compliance with the environmental requirements under the federal laws and regulations. The protocols are intended solely as guidance in this effort. The regulated community's legal obligations are determined by the terms of applicable environmental facility-specific permits and underlying statutes, as well as the applicable state and local laws.
Exploring Incentives for New Owners -- EPA is seeking comments by July 13, 2007, on how best to encourage new owners to use the Audit Policy. A Federal Register Notice issued on May 14, 2007 asks whether and to what extent the Agency should consider offering tailored incentives to encourage new owners of recently acquired facilities to discover, disclose, correct, and prevent the recurrence of environmental violations.