U.S. EPA Office of Inspector General

The Office of Inspector General is an independent office within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that helps the organization protect the environment in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. It consists of auditors, program analysts, investigators, and others with extensive expertise. Although the office is part of U.S. EPA, Congress provides it with separate funding than the agency to ensure its independence. What We Do Conduct independent audits, evaluations and investigations; make evidence-based recommendations to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness; and prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement and misconduct for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. We also provide hotline services to our agencies. We discuss issues with EPA management and others, including Congress, and provide detailed reports. Twice a year, we provide a Semiannual Report to Congress that identifies significant EPA deficiencies and proposed corrective actions and profiles our accomplishments. Why We Do It We strive to be a premier oversight organization trusted to speak the truth, promote good governance, and contribute to improved human health and the environment. We provide solutions to problems that ultimately result in making America a cleaner and healthier place.