Why Establishing an Environmental Compliance Plan is Critical Entering 2026
By Mark Kohout, Senior Regulatory Specialist & Midwest Regional Manager Rolling Meadows (Chicago)
Mark is a seasoned Senior Regulatory Specialist and Midwest Regional Manager with over three years of experience in regulatory compliance. With a commitment to upholding industry standards and fostering regulatory excellence, Mark continues to make a significant impact in the Midwest region.
As we move into 2026, environmental compliance is no longer something that can be managed reactively or handled only when an inspection occurs. Regulatory expectations continue to expand, enforcement actions are becoming more data-driven, and companies are being held accountable not just for what can be seen on the production floor—but for the systems, documentation, and calculations that exist behind the scenes.
Establishing a clear, proactive environmental compliance plan at the start of the year is one of the most effective ways to protect your company, your leadership team, and your employees.
Compliance is a System! Not a Checklist
Many facilities assume they are “covered” because they have permits, plans, or training in place. Compliance is not a collection of individual documents; it is an integrated system.
A strong compliance plan ties together:
- Air permitting and emissions tracking
- Hazardous waste management and generator status
- Stormwater and SPCC requirements
- Chemical inventories and reporting (Tier II, TRI)
- OSHA-related environmental exposure concerns
- Site-specific procedures, training, and accountability
Without a structured plan, these elements often live in silos, creating gaps that are only discovered during an inspection by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency or Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Inspections are Increasing and they are NOT RANDOM!
Inspections today are frequently triggered by data:
- Reported emissions
- Waste generation thresholds
- Industry-specific targeting
- Complaints or incidents
- Incomplete or inconsistent reporting
A compliance plan ensures your facility is prepared long before a regulator arrives.
When inspectors ask questions, the difference between penalties and smooth outcomes often comes down to organization, documentation, and proof of ongoing management.
93% of Compliance is not Visible!
One of the most overlooked realities of environmental compliance is that most requirements cannot be verified through a simple walkthrough. Calculations, thresholds, reporting deadlines, and training records all exist off the floor.
A 2026 compliance plan should answer questions such as:
- Do we know our true hazardous waste generator status?
- Have we evaluated our potential-to-emit for air permitting?
- Are stormwater outfalls mapped, inspected, and documented correctly?
- Are required reports being submitted accurately and on time?
- Do employees understand their environmental responsibilities?
If these answers aren’t clearly documented, risk increases—regardless of how clean or organized the facility appears.
Leadership and Accountability Starts at the TOP!
Environmental compliance is ultimately a leadership responsibility. Regulators do not cite “the system” or “the consultant”—they cite the company and its responsible officials.
By establishing a formal compliance plan for 2026, leadership demonstrates:
- Due diligence
- Good-faith effort
- Commitment to employee safety and environmental stewardship
- Long-term risk management
These factors matter during inspections, enforcement negotiations, and even in civil liability situations.
A Plan Creates Confidence for Owners and Employees!
Employees understand expectations. Managers know where responsibilities begin and end. Owners gain peace of mind knowing the business is being monitored against federal, state, and local requirements—not just when something goes wrong, but every day. A well-designed environmental compliance plan does more than reduce risk; it creates clarity.
Start 2026 Proactively NOT Reactively!
The beginning of the year is a great time to:
- Review your current compliance status
- Identify gaps before they become violations
- Update site-specific plans and procedures
- Align training, reporting, and documentation
- Implement or refine an Environmental Management System (EMS)
Environmental compliance should never be left to chance. A clear, documented plan entering 2026 is one of the smartest investments a facility can make—for protection, stability, and long-term success.