Compliance and enforcement policy
This policy sets out our approach to our compliance and enforcement activities from 1 July 2021. It covers:
- our approach for supporting and directing compliance
- the principles and criteria we use for decision-making, including consideration of risk, behaviour and motivations for compliance
- the tools we use to address non-compliance, such as remedial notices, infringement notices, sanctions, civil proceedings and criminal prosecutions.
The policy provides clarity on how we exercise our regulatory powers. It also explains that we take a no-tolerance approach to non-compliance and will take proportionate regulatory action against those who fail to meet their obligations.
Authorised officer complaints management policy
Our policy for our authorised complaints process. It also sets out how to make a complaint and the steps involved.
Charter of consultation
Our commitment to consultation with Victorians. This charter outlines key parts of our laws that require or may benefit from consultation and describes how we consult.
Contaminated land policy
This policy supports our overarching Strategic plan 2022–2027 and our Compliance and enforcement policy. It sets out our approach to applying the legislative framework under the Environment Protection Act.
This policy covers:
- what the contaminated land duties are
- the role of the duties in minimising risks of harm from contaminated land
- how we implement the duties
- how we expect people to comply.
Environmental justice policy
We want all Victorians to be equally protected from pollution and waste. We also want to give people equal opportunity to be part of our decisions.
This policy is the first step in helping us to achieve that. It is a key action from our Environmental, Social and Governance statement
It focuses on our high-level commitments to:
- identify and address environmental justice issues
- enhance participation in decision making
- apply restorative justice approaches.
From here, we will create specific actions in partnership with our communities.
Fit and proper person policy
This policy explains how we consider whether a person is a fit and proper person under the Environment Protection Act.
General standards policy
There are a broad range of general standards under the Environment Protection Act and its regulations. Some of these establish mandatory requirements, while others provide practical guidance on ways to minimise risks of harm.
This policy provides an overview of these general standards and the high-level approach to addressing any problems.
Gifts, benefits and hospitality policy
Our policy on responding to offers of gifts, benefits or hospitality.
Gifts, benefits and hospitality policy.
For more information about our gifts, benefits and hospitality policy, contact integrity.officer@epa.vic.gov.au
Privacy collection statement – gift offers
We collect, retain and use information about gifts offered because of a person’s role at EPA, including:
- Governing Board members
- subcommittee members
- employees and other workplace participants.
This includes gifts made to close friends, relatives and associates of Board members, subcommittee members and employees.
Gift offers can include gifts, benefits and hospitality made by an external person or organisation to EPA.
We collect, retain and use information about gift offers made to EPA to:
- help make sure our policy is effective and meets our legal obligations
- follow good public sector governance practice
- promote transparency, consistency and accountability in public sector decision making
- comply with the minimum accountabilities(opens in a new window) for the management of gifts, benefits and hospitality.
Governance charter
This charter describes our governance arrangements. It is a key governance policy document which articulates the operating context and the roles, responsibilities, decision-making authorities and accountabilities of the organisation’s key governance bodies.
Privacy policy
We value and respect your privacy. Visit Privacy to learn about our approach to collecting personal and other information.
Public interest disclosures policy
We encourage employees and the public to report known or suspected corrupt or improper conduct by our staff.
Regulatory communications and engagement policy
We are Victoria’s environmental regulator, but we do not protect the environment on our own. Businesses, other government organisations and the Victorian community all have a duty to protect the environment.
We believe effective engagement makes us a proactive, responsive and strong environmental regulator. It allows us to deliver the services and products that the Victorian community wants.
This policy sets out our approach to communications and engagement in our regulatory activities. It covers the principles and factors that guide how we communicate and work with people. It also covers how we expect people to communicate and engage with us.
Remedial notice review policy
This policy explains remedial notice review rights under the Environment Protection Act. It provides information for a remedial notice recipient considering seeking a review of their notice. It also describes our remedial notice review process.
Remedial powers policy
This policy explains how we and our authorised officers use the remedial powers provided in the Environment Protection Act 2017 to deal with non-compliance and risks of harm to human health and the environment.
Sanction powers policy
This policy explains how we use sanctions to constructively improve environmental outcomes. It sets out the range of our sanction powers, starting from an official warning and going through to criminal prosecution. It includes how we decide which sanction to pursue.
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