Tips to Avoid Compliance Fees
MICHIGAN’S ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT PRIVILEGE AND IMMUNITY LAW
An environmental audit is a voluntary and internal evaluation. This law promotes audits to identify historical or current non-compliance with Michigan's environmental rules or statutes. The law additionally provides immunity from enforcement and penalties while the audit is being conducted and for a period of time afterward, as described on the disclosure form from the business or municipality. More than 4,000 municipalities and businesses have taken advantage of this program to avoid fines and penalties and gain compliance.
When to Conduct and Audit
Many situations can trigger an audit, including but not limited to:
- Significant changes in rules and regulations make it necessary to review your compliance status
- A significant period of time has elapsed since the previous audit was performed
- A new company is formed or has purchased the assets of another business
What is Required?
A party who wishes to perform an audit must complete the following actions:
- Give Notice of Intent to Perform and Audit
- Initiate audit within 6 months
- Complete audit
- Submit voluntary disclosure to MDEQ
- Make necessary corrections related to identified violations
What about Federal Requirements?
The EPA also has a program that assist businesses in achieving compliance with federal rules and statutes, "Incentives for Self Disclosure: Discovery, Disclosure, Correction and Prevention of Violations." Click here or contact us to learn more.
Additional Information
Our staff has decades of experience in assisting businesses with compliance auditing and avoiding enforcement and penalties by state and federal government. Click here to contact us for more information.