Reducing Compliance and Litigation Risks In many cases, companies must become more sustainable to assure regulatory compliance. If they do not comply with environmental regulations, they will face substantial fines, thus compromising their profitability. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which began operations in 197o the regulatory agency charged with writing, implementing, and enforcing environmental laws passed by Congress. These regu- lations pertain to air quality, water quality, and issues, chemicals, hazardous substances, and so forth