On December 5, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) issued an internal policy memorandum^[1]that sets a “compliance first” directive for EPA’s enforcement programs.

On April 17, 2024, the Assistant Administrator for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) issued a new Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Policy (the Policy). The Policy requires enhanced civil and criminal enforcement coordination, both on a case-by-case basis and through regular institutional measures. EPA is now requiring civil and criminal coordination during the entire lifespan of a case. The Policy became effective immediately.