Agency Goals for Scientific Integrity The EPA Scientific Integrity Policy outlines five specific goals to ensure scientific integrity throughout the Agency. EPA environmental policies, decisions, guidance, and regulations grounded in robust high quality science; Transparency within Agency scientific processes; Scientific research and results communicated openly and with integrity, accuracy, and timeliness; Appropriate use of peer review and federal advisory committees; and Professional development of the Agency's scientists, engineers and other technical staff. "The work we do together to preserve the integrity of our science is as critical as ever... With science as our North StarEPA has steered America away from health risks, and toward healthier communities and a higher overall quality of life." Gina McCarthy - EPA Administrator April28, 2014 Scientific Integrity at U.S. EPA Safeguarding science to protect human health and the environment Contact Us Scientific Integrity Official Francesca T. Grifo, PhD Grifo.francesca@epa.gov Scientific Integrity Program Lead Martha Otto Otto.martha@epa.gov Scientific Integrity Committee The Scientific Integrity Committee provides oversight for the implementation of the Scientific Integrity Policy. Led by the Scientific Integrity Official, it is comprised of senior Agency Officials from each Region and Office. A list of committee members and their contact information can be found on our website. To report fraud, waste or abuse, contact the hotline (Office of Inspector General) through one of the following methods: E-mail: OIG_Hotline@epa.gov Phone: 1-888-546-8740 Fax: 202-566-2599 Online: http://www.epa.gov/oig/ hotline.htm Write: EPA Inspector General Hotline 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Mailcode 2431T Washington, DC 20460 YM| |f|¦¦¦V| Integrity &EPA http://www.epa.gov/scientificintegrity &EPA ------- Scientific Misconduct V Policies Quality Assurance Public Affairs Conflict Resolution Professional Development Scientific Integrity Laboratory Accreditation Employment Law Environmental W Statutes Ethics Peer 1 jReview and\ Advisory Committees Data Access A variety of sources contribute to scientific integrity at EPA Scientific Integrity at the Environmental Protection Agency EPA's ability to protect human health and the environment depends upon the integrity of the science on which it relies. The EPA Scientific Integrity Policy provides both a vision and a roadmap for Scientific Integrity at the Agency. The Policy, released in 2012, builds upon EPA's significant earlier scientific integrity efforts and focuses on promoting a culture of scientific integrity at EPA, ensuring the release of scientific information to the public, the consistent use of peer review, and the professional development of its scientists and engineers. 1983 William Ruckelshaus promises that EPA employees will "Conduct themselves with the opneness and integrity which alone can ensure public trust in the Agency" in his "fishbowl memo" 1999 National Partnership Council releases EPA's Principles of Scientific Integrity ntegrity Is the adherence to professional values and practices when conducting, communicating, and applying the results of science and scholarship. Scientific integrity ensures objectivity, clarity, reproducibility, and utility. It provides insulation from bias, fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, outside interference, and censorship. The Scientific Integrity Policy Applies to EPA employees, contractors, grantees, collaborators and volunteers. Employees who supervise, manage, or influence scientific activities and those who communicate or utilize scientific information must abide by the Policy. A Culture of Scientific Integrity Scientific research generated in a timely manner, characterized appropriately for Agency policy-making, and communicated clearly to the public. Honesty, transparency, and a commitment to producing high-quality scientific data. Suppression, manipulation, or otherwise altering of scientific data are forbidden. This assures that EPA decisions are informed by the best science the Agency, its contractors, grantees, and collaborators have to offer. A culture of scientific integrity is also one that protects employees who report allegations of suspected misconduct. Similarly, employees who express differing scientific opinions should not fear nor experience retaliation. -m January 2009 March 2009 President President Obama Obama issues a promises Scientific Integrity to "restore Memorandum giving science to OSTP 120 days to its rightful "develop a plan place" in his aimed at ensuring inaugural the integrity of address federal science" May 2009 EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson issues her "compass memo"pledging a culture of scientific integrity at EPA December 2010 OSTP issues guidance requiring agencies and departments to create or improve policies related to scientific integrity How to Report a Scientific Integrity Allegation Formal scientific integrity allegations may be reported to the Scientific Integrity Official, any Deputy Scientific Integrity Official or to the Office of Inspector General. Allegations may come from outside or inside the Agency. Allegations that concern waste, fraud, abuse or other criminal violations should be reported to the Office of Inspector General. Allegations that concern reprisal should be reported to the office of Inspector General or the Office of Special Council. Allegations that concern a financial conflict of interest or other ethics issues involving federal employees will be referred to the appropriate Deputy Ethics Official or Office of General Counsel/Ethics, or the Human Subjects Research Review Official, as appropriate. Allegations can also be reported to the Scientific Integrity Official without revealing the identity of the person making the allegation. While there is no formal process for resolving these allegations, the Scientific Integrity Official is still interested in obtaining information about these allegations and can take some steps to help resolve them. When a formal allegation is resolved, the Scientific Integrity Official is responsible for preparing a summary and recommendations for corrective actions to safeguard the relevant science and will provide follow-up to ensure that the scientific recommendations are carried out appropriately. In addition, the resolved allegations are summarized in EPA's scientific integrity annual report and on the internet in a way that protects the identity of the parties involved. August 2011 EPA releases a draft scientific integrity policy and opens a public comment period through which EPA receives thousands of comments February 2012 November 2013 EPA releases its final Scientific Integrity Policy EPA hires its first full-time Scientific Integrity Official April 2014 EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy addresses The National Academy of Sciences ------- |