Different sectors are regulated by different government agencies, depending on what your line of work involves. Most businesses are subject to standards imposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and other authorities tasked with holding businesses accountable. Part of accountability typically entails making your employees aware of the standards the business is held to, so that any violations can be acknowledged and rectified. Compliance assistance resources can help you accomplish this and other steps to ensure you are operating safely and responsibly.
Why Do Businesses Need Compliance Assistance Resources?
Violating business regulations can result in consequences like fines, or in more severe circumstances legal action may be brought against you and your company. With so much at stake, it’s important to operate within the parameters set forth by regulatory agencies. Consulting compliance assistance has several benefits:
- Get accurate information: One of the biggest threats to compliance is misunderstanding the requirements that you must adhere to. Compliance information that comes directly from an authority will be accurate, up-to-date and easily understood.
- Build a relationship: Reaching out to compliance assistance resources may entail reading literature, or visiting a local center and meeting representatives. The latter can help you build a relationship of trust with authorities and let them know you take compliance seriously.
- Be proactive: Many business owners make the mistake of learning about regulations when it’s too late and they have already been cited. Informing yourself and learning about the standards applied to your business is the most effective way to operate violation-free.
- Avoid violations: Compliance assistance is the most accessible source of information on standards your business is subject to. Taking advantage of it will help you become familiar with these expectations.The agencies that offer these resources are typically invested in helping businesses avoid violations and operate successfully. Engaging with them can create a great partnership that protects your interests and keeps you within legal parameters.
Agencies That Offer Compliance Assistance to Businesses
Which government agencies offer compliance assistance, and what purposes do the resources serve? The following resources offer businesses a wealth of literature, tools and information to aid a better understanding of laws among business owners:
- Environmental Protection Agency: The EPA offers online assistance or in-person consultations at their compliance assistance centers. Centers are typically managed in conjunction with schools, environmental groups and other relevant authorities.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration: OSHA is the most expansive regulatory agency, and as such, it offers the most resources. Like the EPA, you may access information online or at a designated compliance assistance center.
- Small Business Administration: The governmental promotion and protection of small businesses is tasked to the SBA, and the compliance assistance they offer is invaluable to many. The agency offers to keep business owners informed of proposed and passed regulations that may affect their business.
- Department of Transportation: Businesses that deal with transportation, especially the transportation of hazardous materials, can reach out to the Department of Transportation for resources that facilitate compliance.
- National Response Center: This agency is responsible for handling the spill of oil and chemicals, and offers businesses tools to prevent such accidents from happening.
- Internal Revenue Service: The IRS provides a wealth of online information to help non-profit organizations, small businesses and corporations handle income and taxes correctly.
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: This agency gathers information and reports statistics regarding health and injuries in workplaces. They also offer recommendations to help businesses avoid employee injuries and illnesses.Each of these agencies can help you ensure your business maintains compliance with relevant regulations, and their resources can help you better understand what laws mean.
Putting Compliance Assistance to Use
With all of these resources, it’s hard to make excuses for the casual violations that many businesses commit. If you want to avoid the fines and other consequences that result from violating laws, do yourself a favor and take advantage of the compliance assistance resources that are available.
Legal Disclaimer
The content on our website is only meant to provide general information and is not legal advice. We make our best efforts to make sure the information is accurate, but we cannot guarantee it. Do not rely on the content as legal advice. For assistance with legal problems or for a legal inquiry please contact you attorney.