Laws & Regulations

Report: EPA Needs to Improve Processes for Preserving Text Messages as Federal Records

Report #17-P-0062, December 21, 2016. The EPA can better prevent deaths and serious injuries caused during residential fumigations by amending sulfuryl fluoride labels and monitoring compliance.

Report: Audit Follow-Up Process Needed for the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board

Report #13-P-0128, February 1, 2013. CSB does not have a follow-up process to allow for prompt implementation of agreed-to OIG audit recommendations.

Report: Response to Congressional Request on EPA Enforcement

Report #13-P-0168, February 28, 2013. EPA enforcement data show that the amount of monetary results EPA regions achieve from concluded enforcement cases varies from year to year and from region to region.

Report: Congressionally Requested Inquiry Into the EPA’s Use of Private and Alias Email Accounts

Report #13-P-0433, September 26, 2013. We found no evidence that the EPA used, promoted or encouraged the use of private “non-governmental” email accounts to circumvent records management responsibilities

Report: Response to Congressional Inquiry Regarding the EPA’s Emergency Order to the Range Resources Gas Drilling Company

Report #14-P-0044, December 20, 2013. The EPA withdrew its emergency order regarding Range Resources hydraulic fracturing operations, but continues to monitor the situation for evidence of widespread contamination.

Report: EPA Not Fully Compliant With Overtime Policies

Report #15-P-0293, September 22, 2015. The EPA may have incurred overtime charges without proper authorization and advance approval, and did not maintain overtime request forms as required.

Report: EPA Needs Better Management Controls for Approval of Employee Travel

Report #15-P-0294, September 22, 2015. Weak internal controls make EPA travel dollars vulnerable to fraud waste and misuse.

Report: Improvements to EPA Policies and Guidance Could Enhance Protection of Human Study Subjects

Report #14-P-0154, March 31, 2014. The EPA can enhance its human studies by improving how it obtains approval for studies; how it communicates risk to people who participate in EPA studies; and how it addresses adverse events in its guidance.

Report: EPA Compliance With Retention Incentive Regulations and Policies

Report #14-P-0245, May 2, 2014. EPA did not comply with Office of Personnel Management regulations or agency policies on retention incentive pay.

Report: EPA Met or Exceeded Most Internal Climate Change Goals, But Data Quality and Records Management Procedures Need Improvement

Report #14-P-0325, July 29, 2014. Improving data quality and records management procedures can support confidence in the reliability of EPA's progress reports on its climate change goals.

Report: Improvements Needed by EPA to Reduce Risk in Employee Hiring Process

Report #15-P-0253, August 3, 2015. Without verification of prior employment or references, the potential exists that the EPA will not hire the best possible staff, or will hire an employee based on false statements.

Report: Response to Congressional Request Concerning Political Interference in Release of Documents Under the Freedom of Information Act

Report #15-N-0261, August 20, 2015. We did not find any indications of political interference or delay in the release of FOIA documents.

Report: Audit of EPA Passport Controls

Report #14-P-0243, May 1, 2014. EPA needs to strengthen controls for official passports to protect sensitive personally identifiable information.

Report: Chemical Import Data May Help EPA Identify Facilities That Need to File or Update Risk Management Plans

Report #14-N-0239, April 28, 2014. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may want to use chemical import data to help determine whether facilities have a sufficient RMP in place.

Report: Fiscal Year 2020 U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board Management Challenges

Report #20-N-0218, July 6, 2020. Unaddressed management challenges will impede the ability of the CSB to function effectively.

Report: EPA OIG Compliance With Retention Incentive Regulations and Policies

Report #14-B-0246, May 2, 2014. Unauthorized retention incentive payments totaling $64,204 were made to EPA OIG employees due to a lack of adequate internal controls and agency follow-up.

Report: EPA’s Initial Implementation of CARES Act Section 3610

Report #20-N-0202, June 29, 2020. The OAS created and provided detailed guidance to EPA contracting personnel and contractors related to reimbursements under Section 3610 of the CARES Act.

Report: Weak Management of a Climate Change Services Contract Creates Risk EPA Did Not Receive Services for Which It Paid

Report #14-P-0272, May 30, 2014. The EPA awards millions of federal dollars to contractors every year. It must have robust oversight and management controls in place to prevent waste and unnecessary spending.

Report: EPA OIG’s Compliance With EPA Passport Guidance

Report #14-B-0244, May 1, 2014. The EPA OIG needs to ensure that it complies with EPA passport guidance to protect sensitive PII.

Report: EPA's Initial Plans for Returning to the Office Incorporate CDC Guidance but Differ by Location

Report #21-E-0030, November 30, 2020. The EPA's initial plans for returning to the office incorporate Centers for Disease Control guidance but differ by location.