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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Inspector General
At a Glance
13-P-0167
February 28, 2013
Why We Did This Review
The purpose of this review was
to evaluate whether the U.S.
Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA's) Action
Development Process (ADP)
results in the timeliest, most
efficient, and most effective
method for rule development.
This review was requested by
the Agency. We focused on the
key aspects of efficiency with
which program offices
implement the ADP's guidance
for rule development. EPA's
Office of Policy coordinates the
ADP.
This report addresses the
following EPA Goals or
Cross-Cutting Strategies:
•	Taking action on climate
change and improving
air quality
•	Protecting America's
waters
•	Cleaning up communities
and advancing sustainable
development
•	Ensuring the safety of
chemicals and preventing
pollution
Efficiency of EPA's Rule Development Process
Can Be Better Measured Through Improved
Management and Information
What We Found
Rule development is one of the Agency's principal tasks. EPA develops rules to
carry out the environmental and public health protection laws passed by
Congress. Efficient EPA rulemaking may accelerate the progress of protecting
human health and the environment. However, due to limitations in EPA
rulemaking documentation and guidance, the Agency is unable to evaluate the
efficiency of the rulemaking process or identify potential delays in its rulemaking
activities. For example, EPA has limited information on the time and resources
used to complete the various stages of the rule development process.
The development and implementation of management controls to ensure that the
rulemaking process is progressing efficiently and that resources are accurately
accounted for will enhance EPA's ability to assure efficiency during the
development process and accelerate the progress of protecting human health
and the environment.
Recommendations and Planned Agency Corrective Actions
We recommend that the Associate Administrator for EPA's Office of Policy
establish guidance, maintain database documentation, and track resources, to
enhance the Agency's ability to determine the efficiency of the rulemaking
process. The Associate Administrator concurred with the first and second
recommendations but disagreed with the third recommendation. We consider the
third recommendation unresolved. As required by EPA Manual 2750, the Agency
will need to initiate the audit resolution process.
For further information, contact
our Office of Congressional and
Public Affairs at (202) 566-2391.
The full report is at:
www.epa.qov/oiq/reports/2013/
20130228-13-P-0167.pdf

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