The federal agency that regulates offshore drilling toughened its conflict-of-interest rules this week in an effort to eliminate corruption. But while the new guidelines impose strict requirements on government inspectors, they do not apply to bureaucrats in Washington who set policy.

The new rules prohibit employees of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement — formerly known as the Minerals Management Service — from performing inspections on drilling rigs when the contractor employs a family member or personal friend.