Our role is to prevent and reduce harm to the environment and human health from pollution and waste. Our compliance approach supports this role. We work with businesses to help them understand the law. We act quickly and transparently to apply the law if a business doesn’t comply with the law.

Our Compliance and enforcement policy (publication 1798) sets out how we enforce the law. This includes issuing remedial notices and directions, and sanctions. 

We use appointments and delegations to make sure the right people make decisions. EPA appointments include:

• authorised officers
• persons who may take proceedings
• litter enforcement officers 
• analysts. 

We can also delegate certain powers to our staff or external bodies.  For example, to issue licences or permits.