COVID-19 Enforcement and Compliance Resources

The COVID-19 public health emergency is a rapidly evolving situation. This website has been established in order to provide the public, the regulated community and other government agencies with the most complete and up to date information on EPA enforcement and compliance policy and actions related to COVID-19.

On this page:

• Temporary Enforcement Policy
• No Action Assurance Related to COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
• Fuel Waiver
• Other

Temporary Enforcement Policy

NOTE: After August 31, 2020, the Temporary Enforcement Policy is no longer in effect.

• EPA is mindful of the health and safety of the public, as well as our staff, and those of Federal Agencies, State and Local Governments, Tribes, Regulated Entities, Contractors, and Non-governmental Organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The agency is taking these important considerations into account as we all continue our work to protect human health and the environment. Accordingly, EPA has issued a temporary policy regarding EPA enforcement of environmental legal obligations during the COVID-19 public health emergency.  
• On June 29, 2020, EPA issued a memorandum on a termination addendum to the COVID-19 temporary enforcement policy. EPA has selected August 31, 2020, as the termination date for the temporary enforcement policy. (Posted 6/29/2020)
• Frequent Questions About the Temporary COVID-19 Enforcement Policy  (Updated 08/20/2020)

No Action Assurance Related to COVID-19 Public Health Emergency  

The Revised No Action Assurance (issued March 16, 2020, revised March 18, 2020) was issued to certain facilities engaged in the production of pharmaceutical and/or medical supplies located in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico was impacted by the series of earthquakes since December that caused extreme damage to its power grid. The Revised No Action Assurance was issued to ensure that concerns about the supply or quality of electricity did not interrupt production at these facilities following the Presidential declaration of a national health emergency on May 13th.  Although the Revised No Action Assurance was issued prior to the Temporary COVID-19 Enforcement Policy on May 26th, because it was based in part on the COVID-19 public health emergency, it is included here for transparency.

• Revised No Action Assurance for Use of Emergency Generators by Specific Companies Operating in Puerto Rico

Fuel Waiver on Conversion to Summertime Gasoline

• On March 27, EPA issued a waiver of the federal low volatility “summertime” gasoline requirements nationwide due to issues caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. The waiver begins on May 1, 2020 and lasts through May 20, 2020.  Nationwide Fuel Waiver Concerning Summertime Volatility Requirements for Gasoline.

Other

• Interim Guidance on Site Field Work Decisions Due to Impacts of COVID-19
• Memorandum Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) Implications for Signing Paper Hazardous Waste Manifests - (Note: no longer in effect after August 31, 2020) – see Statement About Signing Paper Hazardous Waste Manifests During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency)
• Enforcement Statement Regarding “Wet” Signature Requirements During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency with Appendix (pdf)  - (Note: no longer in effect after December 31, 2020)
  • Statement About Signing Paper Hazardous Waste Manifests During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency  - (Note: no longer in effect after November 30, 2020)
• What You Need to Know Regarding Products Making Claims to Kill the Coronavirus Causing COVID-19
• Statement Regarding Respiratory Protection Shortages and Reduced Availability of Respirator Fit Testing Related to Pesticide Uses Covered by the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency  (Note: no longer in effect after August 18, 2021)
  • Amended Statement Regarding Respiratory Protection Shortages and Reduced Availability of Respirator Fit Testing Related to Pesticide Uses Covered by the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency  (Note: no longer in effect after August 18, 2021)
  • Termination of the June 1, 2020 Statement/May 6, 2021 Amendment Regarding Respiratory Protection Shortages and Reduced Availability of Respirator Fit Testing Related to Pesticide Uses Covered by the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard during the COVID (Termination of Statement/Amendment effective August 19, 2021)
• State Guidances on Enforcement during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
• Interim EPA COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines and EPA COVID-19 Job Hazard Analysis Supplement
• EPA Letters on COVID-19 Safety Precautions for Inspection Commitments (Updated on April 7, 2021)