Voluntary environmental compliance in BC

Last updated on July 21, 2022

Voluntary compliance occurs when regulated parties meet requirements, without the province initiating enforcement actions. Compliance promotion is a key strategy in achieving voluntary compliance.

In order to voluntarily comply with a regulatory requirement, regulated parties must be:

  • Aware of the requirement
  • Able to understand the requirement and the consequences of non-compliance
  • Willing to comply with the requirement 
  • Able to financially and/or technically comply with the requirement

Voluntary environmental compliance

Compliance promotion

Any activity that increases awareness, educates, motivates, or changes behaviour, and encourages voluntary compliance with a regulatory requirement.  The province achieves voluntary compliance through education and outreach and by highlighting the benefits of staying in compliance. 

How inspections benefit regulated parties

  • Regular inspections by officers ensure all non-compliances by all regulated parties are treated consistently
  • Lack of compliance verification and ongoing non-compliance could result in an unfair economic advantage and harm to human health or the environment 
  • Inspections provide an opportunity for operators to meet on-site with an inspector to discuss particular issues or challenges

How staying in compliance benefits regulated parties

  • It demonstrates your corporate commitment to protecting the environment
  • Compliance records are public, so your stakeholders and the public can see the good work you have been doing
  • It can be more expensive to delay improvements or repairs as costs increase over time
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Compliance Reports

Review compliance inspection reports, audits, and administrative penalties issued under the EMA & IPMA on the Environmental Compliance Reports page.