OCAPP Promoting its Services
Ohio EPA’s Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention (OCAPP) is an independent office within the Agency that provides free resources to help businesses achieve compliance with environmental regulations. Their expertise covers a wide range of environmental regulations from air and water pollution to waste management. OCAPP experts also help businesses identify and implement pollution prevention measures that can save money, increase business performance and benefit the environment.
OCAPP is a not a regulatory program, so information obtained by the office is not shared with the Agency’s inspection or enforcement staff.
In January 2011, OCAPP issued its marketing plan. The goal of the plan is to increase the business community’s awareness of OCAPP’s environmental compliance and pollution prevention resources and services.
Marketing activities will be expanded to reach a larger target audience and carried out in a manner that ensures our customers are more consistently getting relevant and timely information, particularly for new business start-up operations. OCAPP will continue previous marketing activities, such as participation in meetings of trade associations, local chambers of commerce, other state agency partners and Small Business Development Centers.
One new focus area for marketing will be better utilization of electronic tools for customer communication.
What resources are available?
- Understandable, plain-language fact sheets and compliance guides, available online and hard copy by request.
- Online resources at www.epa.ohio.gov/ocapp
- New business start-up meeting facilitation to discuss applicable environmental permits and regulations. OCAPP can contact Agency staff and coordinate a meeting with representatives from the appropriate permitting divisions.
- Toll-free confidential hotline (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F) to answer environmental questions from businesses.
- Environmental compliance and pollution prevention workshops/training.
- On-site compliance assessments for businesses (fewer than 100 employees). This can help reduce liability; reduce the potential for violations and penalties; and help protect worker health and safety.
- Quarterly newsletter, Compliance & Prevention Quarterly, now available electronically.
- One-on-one assistance in completing EPA paperwork and permit application forms.
- Free pollution prevention assessments to help companies meet their environmental obligations, save money and identify ways to prevent waste generation.
OCAPP assists many types of businesses. They include, but are not limited to, auto service/collision repair; metal and plastic parts manufacturing; electrical products manufacturing; gas stations; dry cleaners/laundries; composting and landscaping companies, power washers; carpet cleaners; printers; furniture makers/wood refinishers; HVAC service; metal finishing/electroplating; and stone crushing/sand and gravel companies.
Businesses that have worked with OCAPP identified the following benefits:
- achieve environmental compliance;
- save money and improve business performance;
- reduce liability and potential for violations or penalties;
- protect workers' health and safety; and
- preserve natural resources.
Know a business that needs help? Suggest they visit OCAPP's website, or contact them by email p2mail@epa.ohio.gov or phone (weekdays, 8 a.m. through 5 p.m.) at (800) 329-7518 or (614) 644-3469.