2026 Environmental Compliance Checklist: What Facility Managers Must Prepare Before January 1
As the end of 2025 approaches, facility managers and environmental and health directors are preparing for new compliance requirements, updated reporting standards, and year-end cleaning needs. Taking action now helps protect your facility from violations, operational delays, and unexpected costs once 2026 begins.
We developed this checklist to highlight the most important tasks to complete before January 1 and to ensure your facility begins the new year compliant and efficient.
1. Complete and Verify All Hazardous Waste Documentation
Before year-end, review all hazardous waste records, including generator status, manifests, onsite storage, and scheduled waste removal.
Missing or incomplete documentation remains one of the most common regulatory issues and can lead to costly violations—most of which are easily preventable.
SIS can support these requirements through compliant hazardous waste removal, documentation management, and environmental oversight.
2. Use Year-End Downtime for Industrial Cleaning
The holiday period often brings reduced activity across facilities, creating the ideal opportunity to complete industrial cleaning projects such as tank cleaning, pit cleaning, paint-shop cleaning, confined-space work, and site-wide sanitation.
Completing these tasks now improves safety, reduces operational risks, prevents equipment issues, and ensures a clean, productive start to 2026.
SIS provides trained teams equipped to perform these high-risk and specialized cleaning services safely and efficiently.
3. Prepare for 2026 EPA and OSHA Changes
Several environmental and safety updates take effect at the start of 2026, including requirements related to air-emissions monitoring, hazardous-waste storage, PFAS disposal, and confined-space entry.
Facilities should review existing programs now to identify gaps in training, documentation, or procedures.
SIS offers environmental engineering support, program evaluations, and onsite corrective-action planning to help facilities remain compliant.
4. Conduct a Winter Season Environmental Risk Assessment
Winter introduces increased risks of spills, stormwater issues, groundwater contamination, and equipment failures caused by buildup, freezing, and residue.
A proactive assessment helps prevent emergencies during the coldest months of the year.
SIS can assist with groundwater management, spill-control planning, and emergency-response preparedness.
5. Update Safety and Hazmat Training for 2026
Training programs must be up-to-date, documented, and aligned with new 2026 standards. This includes confined-space entry, hazmat handling, waste management, emergency response, and job-specific safety requirements.
SIS offers certified hazmat training and specialized safety instruction delivered by experienced environmental and industrial professionals.
Final Recommendation
Preparing for 2026 doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By addressing compliance, cleaning, and training needs now, your facility can avoid violations, reduce risk, and start the new year fully prepared. SIS is ready to support every step—from hazardous waste removal to environmental engineering and year-end industrial cleaning.
Contact us today to schedule your service or request a compliance assessment. Early planning ensures availability and prevents last-minute delays.