Beyond the Securities and Exchange Commission there are other regulatory agencies where inquisitive investors can find a paper trail on a company whose stock they are considering buying. Here are the critical ones to check out.
Federal Trade Commission
The FTC investigates companies for deceptive business practices and anti-competitive behavior. At the FTC web site users can search cases by company names and read the complaint, decree and news release of the case.
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Created to guard against injuries from dangerous products. At the CPSC web site users can find a list of companies who have had product recalls. Further research on the company might reveal if the company aggressively recalled a dangerous product or if it contested a CPSC ruling.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The EEOC was formed to protect employees from discrimination based upon race, gender, age, disabilities or ethnicity. The EEOC oversees the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires companies to accommodate worker disabilities. Search by company name at the EEOC web site to see if any actions have been brought against a firm you are considering investing in.
Environmental Protection Agency
Protecting the environment was one of the founding principles of socially responsible investing. The EPA was formed to reduce pollution in the water, air and on the land by businesses and individuals. SRI practitioners can look to the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance to find information about companies who violate EPA regulations.
Federal Election Commission
The FEC oversees campaign finance laws that oversee the elections of individuals to the House, Senate and the presidency. Socially responsible investors may find information about the political activities of corporate officials at the FEC site.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA is an arm of the U.S. Labor Department. Safety officers and health inspectors visit companies to review physical hazards for workers and health matters, such as exposure to toxic chemicals. OSHA keeps records of companies who have been cited for violations. Socially responsible investors can use OSHA violation reports as a way to determine how a corporation treats its workers.
Environmental Protection Agency
Protecting the environment was one of the founding principles of socially responsible investing. The EPA was formed to reduce pollution in the water, air and on the land by businesses and individuals. SRI practitioners can look to the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance to find information about companies who violate EPA regulations.