While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not issued a nationwide directive to halt enforcement activities, recent policy shifts — including the use of enforcement discretion and resource reallocation — have prompted industrial organizations to reevaluate their compliance strategies. This may seem like a cost-effective solution in the short term, but it could expose facilities to long-term regulatory and operational risks.
Regulatory Oversight Isn’t Disappearing
Despite potential changes in federal policy, environmental regulations are still actively enforced — and not solely by the federal government. State agencies are now responsible for conducting most inspections. While EPA remains a central authority in setting and enforcing standards, no public directive has been issued to curtail its enforcement activities. As a result, state-level agencies continue to perform wide-ranging inspections across air, water, waste and other regulatory areas.
Understanding Multimedia Environmental Compliance
Multimedia environmental audits are comprehensive evaluations that review a range of compliance areas, such as air emissions, water discharges, hazardous waste, stormwater, tanks, hazardous chemical reporting, and spill prevention, control and countermeasure (SPCC) plans as well as other regulated systems or activities. Staying compliant across these areas and meeting any industry-specific requirements calls for a detailed understanding of overlapping and sometimes conflicting federal and state regulations.
Organizations bringing these audits in-house often overlook the depth of technical knowledge required to identify compliance gaps and anticipate enforcement priorities. Internal teams may not have the time, training or regulatory awareness to manage the full scope of environmental obligations, particularly as enforcement strategies change.
Third-party audits provide a valuable safeguard. These independent evaluations help verify regulatory compliance while offering additional benefits such as improved operational efficiency, reputational protection and reduced liability. Engaging an experienced third party to assess environmental compliance helps facilities prepare for both scheduled and surprise inspections.
Moving Forward With Confidence
Relying solely on internal resources may appear efficient, but third-party environmental audits offer critical advantages. These evaluations help identify potential gaps, reduce regulatory risk and support a proactive approach to compliance. Regular external audits are an investment — not just in compliance, but in long-term operational success.
Whether preparing for an EPA inspection or meeting state-specific requirements, staying ahead of compliance requires timely insight and the requisite knowledge and experience. In a shifting regulatory environment, informed action is the strongest safeguard.
Environmental compliance regulations are growing more complex, and noncompliance can put people and operations at risk. Learn how a strategic compliance program can help you protect your workforce, reduce liability and meet sustainability goals.