Heing Ohioans comply with environmental  regulations and reduce waste at the source.

The Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention (OCAPP) provides compliance and pollution prevention assistance on environmental issues related to air, land and water.

The new office combines staff from the Small Business Assistance Office that previously focused on Central Ohio; the Division of Air Pollution Control’s Small Business Assistance Program, which dealt only with air issues; and the Office of Pollution Prevention. Combining these functions enables Ohio EPA to expand its services with no new funding.

OCAPP operates confidentially. Information obtained by the office is not shared with Ohio EPA inspection or enforcement staff.

The Compliance Assistance program helps small businesses understand and comply with the environmental regulations that apply to them. This includes a wide range of environmental regulations from air and water pollution to waste management. Services include a toll-free hotline, Web site, environmental workshops and publications that explain environmental requirements in plain English. These services are free, confidential and available to small businesses with fewer than 100 employees in Ohio. OCAPP can help small businesses achieve compliance with environmental regulations; protect workers' health and safety; preserve natural resources; and reduce liability and the potential for violations or penalties.

Many of the requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments affect small businesses, which often cannot afford to hire environmental experts to interpret the complex regulations. Because the costs of failing to comply can be quite high, Congress required each state to establish a program to provide small businesses with technical assistance to help them meet air emission requirements and reduce air emissions. This program also offers a Small Business Assistance Fund that provides grants to small businesses having difficulty complying with the federal clean air requirements.

The Pollution Prevention (P2) program provides free technical assistance to help Ohio businesses reduce pollution and improve Ohio’s environment. This program can provide assistance through onsite visits, over-the-phone consultations, or by e-mail.  In addition, the Office provides an extensive array of publications that help companies reduce waste generation and improve competitiveness.  Most of these publications are provided free-of-charge and can be accessed through the Ohio EPA Web site.  Clicking the items on the left menu will provide additional information about P2 services and projects.

Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
P.O. Box 1049
Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049
Phone (614) 644-3469
Fax (614) 644-2807
Toll Free (800) 329-7518
E-Mail: p2mail@epa.state.oh.us

page last updated: December 1, 2004