EPA “Compliance First” Enforcement Policy

🔔 Top Stories

EPA “Compliance First” Enforcement Policy

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance issued a memorandum establishing a “compliance first” policy for civil enforcement and compliance activities. The memorandum directs enforcement staff to prioritise early compliance over drawn-out negotiations, promote voluntary compliance via outreach and self-audit support, and use clear, consistent violation findings. It also emphasises coordination with states and reasoned decision-making under a “LEAPS” (law, evidence, analysis, programmatic impact, stakeholder impact) framework. The policy aims to streamline enforcement actions and encourage regulated entities to proactively fix issues before formal actions occur.

Plains Township Company Pays $838K for Phosphate Compliance Failures

A company in Plains Township has agreed to pay $838,000 to resolve alleged violations related to phosphate procedure compliance. Reports detail that the company and its subcontractor also agreed to pay more than $4.8 million in combined penalties in connection with environmental compliance issues. The enforcement action underscores regulators’ focus on adherence to procedural requirements in handling phosphate and related substances. It highlights the importance of meeting compliance obligations in industrial processes to avoid substantial financial consequences.

Impact of USDA Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) introduce comprehensive new requirements for organic producers, especially around animal welfare and environmental transparency. The standards are being enforced through 2029 with phased deadlines to help smaller operators adjust. Initial compliance costs are significant, but USDA forecasts annual net benefits of about $59–$78 million due to enhanced consumer trust and premium pricing. Investors are adjusting strategies as the new rules shift capital toward scalable, tech-adapted operations, although smaller producers face competitive pressure. This change highlights how regulatory compliance can reshape industry economics in agriculture.

🧠 Expert Take

At a very high level, they now require under the amended reg SP covered institutions and the covered institutions are defined to include broker-dealers, registered investment companies, registered investment advisors, funding portals, and transfer agents must now adopt a formal incident response program and have written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to detect and respond to and recover from any unauthorized access to or use of customer information. Kristin Snyder from Debevoise Plimpton.

🧰 Compliance Toolkit

Anti-Money Laundering Software Buyer’s Guide

AML compliance has become more complex as regulators tighten requirements for monitoring, reporting, and risk management. The AML Software Buyer’s Guide helps compliance teams evaluate key features such as real-time transaction monitoring, customer risk scoring, sanctions screening, case management, and audit trails. It explains how to map software capabilities to specific risk frameworks and regulatory expectations, offering questions to ask vendors and criteria to compare options effectively. The guide also addresses integration with existing enterprise systems and measuring operational ROI to support compliance goals. This resource can help organisations select AML solutions that align with their regulatory environment and risk profile.

🎟️ Upcoming Event

2026 ACA Conference – AI, Innovation, and Resilience

📍 Nashville, TN | Apr 15-17, 2026

The 2026 ACA Conference, organized by ACA Global, will focus on how AI, innovation, and resilience are shaping the future of compliance operations. The event brings together compliance officers, regulators, and industry experts to explore new tools, methodologies, and strategic approaches to managing risk in an evolving regulatory environment. 

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