The consequences of ignoring regulations can be disastrous and even criminal. The EPA
investigates environmental crimes in which companies and individuals are held accountable.
Prison time and expensive fines can be handed down. (British Petroleum paid billions of dollars
in fines in the past few years for breaking U.S. environmental and safety laws.) Even if a crime
has not been committed, the financial impacts and customer upheaval can be disastrous to
companies that do not comply with regulations. Due to lack of supplier oversight, Mattel, Inc.,
the largest U.S. toymaker, has recalled over 10 million toys in recent years because of consumer
health hazards such as lead paint.