An increasing number of U.S. businesses are adopting voluntary environmental and labor standards that exceed what is expected of them by law. Many companies are concerned with their reputations and feel that being perceived as highly ethical will win them more consumer support. Businesses also reap other benefits from engaging in this type of self-regulatory behavior. Companies that demonstrate improvement toward environmental goals are invited to become part of the EPA's National Environmental Performance Track program. As a member of this program, a company is less likely to be targeted for inspections.
See "Above and beyond", Clayton Collins, The Christian Science Monitor, November 2, 2003