Permitting, Compliance & Environmental Audits

Perkins Coie attorneys have extensive experience in counseling, administrative proceedings, legislative matters, and civil and criminal enforcement (including criminal investigations) relating to all of the major U.S. environmental, health and safety laws, including the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, RCRA, TSCA, FIFRA, OSHA, CERCLA and EPCRA. We also have the experience to assist clients with compliance matters involving environmental laws in the European Union and other foreign countries, including the EU's Directives on the Restriction on the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHs) in Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). No matter the substantive issue or the type of proceeding, we work closely with our clients to achieve the best results. Our attorneys handle complex environmental, health and safety regulatory issues, including matters related to the regulation of solid and hazardous wastes, products and contaminated properties, the permitting of facilities under state and federal laws (such as air, water and hazardous waste permits), and workplace safety and health. Our clients are located throughout the world and include corporations, trade associations, coalitions, municipalities and individuals.

We regularly work alongside our clients to conduct environmental, health and safety audits at all types of facilities, ranging from small businesses to large chemical, mining and manufacturing operations. We counsel clients on both the legal and technical aspects of auditing, including planning, reporting and follow-up. Our extensive knowledge of federal, state and local requirements enables us to identify applicable current and potential future standards and to benchmark against legal compliance standards, ISO 14001 and federal sentencing guidelines. While we understand the potential consequences our clients face when audited, we also have the practical, hands-on experience to help clients prioritize the significance of any issues that are raised. We frequently advise clients on notifying regulatory authorities and the implications raised by audit privilege issues. We also help them assess the pros and cons of voluntarily disclosing any violations and assist with establishing and evaluating environmental management systems, including ISO 14001 and environmental management systems required in the settlement of enforcement actions.