What is a Letter of Warning (LOW)?

A Letter of Warning (LOW) is an informal enforcement action utilized by regulatory agencies to address violations without immediately resorting to formal penalties or enforcement actions. It serves as a cautionary notification to the responsible party, signaling that their actions, while potentially not severe enough to warrant strict penalties, are nonetheless concerning and should be corrected.

The core purpose of a LOW is to encourage compliance and prevent future violations by alerting the individual or organization to their misconduct. It acts as a warning that future infractions could lead to more serious repercussions, including formal penalties or elevated enforcement actions. This approach allows agencies to maintain regulatory oversight while also providing an opportunity for violators to rectify their actions without the immediate consequence of formal penalties.

Understanding the context of a Letter of Warning is crucial, as it emphasizes the emphasis on compliance and the intent to foster better practices rather than just punishing non-compliance.