Enforcement

Enforcement levels the playing field for companies that comply with our nation's environmental laws by ensuring that those companies and individuals who would violate the law are held accountable.  Compliance with the nation's environmental laws is the goal, but civil and criminal enforcement is an important part of ensuring governments, companies and individuals meet their environmental obligations.  Enforcement also advances environmental justice by protecting vulnerable communities.

Read more basic information about enforcement.

Our Enforcement Programs

Civil Enforcement
Assures compliance through legal actions, inspections and monitoring to eliminate and prevent environmental harm.

Cleanup Enforcement
Protects human health and the environment by getting those responsible for a hazardous waste site to either clean up or reimburse EPA for its cleanup.

Criminal Enforcement
Investigates and assists in the criminal prosecution of willful and deliberate violations of environmental laws or regulations and any associated violation of the U.S. criminal code.

Government Collaboration
Working with federal agencies and other governments to implement environmental compliance and enforcement programs.

What We Do

The Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) aggressively goes after pollution problems that make a difference in communities through vigorous civil and criminal enforcement that targets the most serious water, air and chemical hazards.

Data, Planning and Results
Data systems track compliance with environmental laws and provide a means to report our accomplishments and direct future program efforts.