Civil enforcement is one part of a broader regulatory program that includes both compliance assistance--which helps industry prevent violations before they occur--and criminal enforcement--which prosecutes those intentional or deliberate acts of noncompliance. EPA's enforcement options range from simply notifying a facility that minor violations exist and granting a reasonable time for compliance to criminal sanctions for persons who willfully disregard the law. Other options include filing enforcement actions before an Administrative Law Judge. The EPA may also ask the U.S. Department of Justice to file a civil judicial lawsuit before a United States District Court. The ultimate goal of these enforcement programs is to help the regulated community move beyond minimal compliance to true environmental excellence.

Recommended EPA Web pages

• Civil Enforcement
  EPA's civil enforcement program helps protect the environment and human health by assuring compliance with federal environmental laws.
• Civil Enforcement Policies and Guidances
  Policies and guidances dealing with statutory and regulatory enforcement.
• Statutory and Regulatory Enforcement Programs Publications
  Listing of publications relating to statutory and regulatory enforcement by medium with associated topics also provided.

Compliance Assistance

Compliance Incentives
Audit Policy

Compliance Monitoring
Audit, Inspection, Investigation

Criminal Enforcement

Delegation
Oversight

Environmental Liability

Multi-Media Compliance

Reporting

Settlement
Maximum Achievable Control Technology Emission Standards (MACTs), Mediation, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs), Penalty, Recertification, Reportable Quantity, Supplemental Environmental Project

Violation

Voluntary Standards
Consensus Standards, Environmentally Preferable Purchasing, International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Voluntary Standards Network