Regulation
We are the primary environmental regulator for New South Wales. As environmental stewards we are committed to a sustainable future for NSW, focussing our regulatory activities on improving outcomes that lead to a healthy, sustainable environment and a thriving society. Find out more about how we regulate and some of the tools we use below.
Regulatory framework
Our Regulatory Framework sets out why and how we regulate, describes the elements of our framework and who we work with to improve outcomes for the environment and our communities.
Regulatory Policy
Our Regulatory Policy sits under the framework and explains how we make regulatory decisions, and describes our tools and actions to address risks and respond to issues, incidents and non-compliance.
Targeted Compliance Program
Every year we identify projects for focused and coordinated compliance action; part of our proactive response to critical issues and emerging risks to the environment and our community.
Prosecution guidelines
Set out the factors we take into account in deciding whether, how and in what court to prosecute offences under the legislation we administer.
Environmental court order guidelines
Deal with sentencing options available for environmental offences, including investigation costs orders, publication orders and environmental service orders.
Enforceable undertakings
Voluntary, legally binding, written agreements between the EPA and a company that or individual who is alleged to have breached environmental legislation.
EPA use of unmanned aircraft guidelines
The guidelines seek to strike an appropriate balance between safety, privacy and efficiency for the EPA’s use of unmanned aircraft.
Monetary benefit
MBOs provide a strong deterrent for possible future offenders and an incentive for operators to take proper precautions to protect the environment.
Financial assurance
Find information about our financial assurance policy and the Guideline on estimating financial assurances.
Financial capacity
We sometimes need to consider the financial capacity of regulated companies or persons – their ability to pay for the costs of their environment protection and human health obligations.