Many business owners have found it frustrating trying to ensure that their businesses comply with an ever-increasing set of environmental laws that have come in over the years. Many have also faced expensive penalties for breaches of those regulations.
If you were one of them, you might be celebrating the recent announcement by the new head of the US Environmental Protection Agency that it will be rolling back 31 climate, air and water pollution regulations.
However, before you rush to abandon the changes your business put in place to attempt to comply with them, it’s important to remember one thing.
Many people approved of the regulations
Your business depends on customers choosing your products as opposed to those of a competitor. Many factors come into a customer’s decision, but sustainability and a commitment to reducing environmental harm are major factors for many customers. Relaxing your efforts just because the law no longer requires you to make them may cause some of your customers or potential customers to go elsewhere. They may still prefer to spend their dollars in a way they consider more sustainable or better for the planet regardless of what current legislation is.
There may be legal challenges
New York has stricter environmental regulations than most states, and it is unlikely to just roll over and accept weakened regulations. There are likely many legal challenges ahead, and it’s important to remember that you are bound not just by federal laws but by state laws, too.
There’s also a good chance that future governments will revert to stricter environmental regulation, so abandoning the progress you’ve already made may be costly in the long term.
The situation is likely to change fast, so it is wise to seek guidance from someone who understands these changes and can help you navigate the complex legal landscape going forward.
