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

Air Enforcement
EPA regulates emissions of air pollution from mobile and stationary sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

Criminal Enforcement
EPA enforces the nation's laws by investigating cases, collecting evidence, conducting forensic analyses and providing legal guidance to assist in the prosecution of criminal conduct that threatens people's health and the environment.

Waste, Chemical and Cleanup Enforcement
EPA enforces a variety of environmental requirements related to pollution by waste and chemicals

Water Enforcement
EPA enforces requirements under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

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.