Posted by Evolve
June 15, 2021

The 2013 ASTM Standards for Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) are sunsetting and are currently under revision by the ASTM Committee.
Proposed Changes to ASTM Standards for the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment
The American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) requires a revision every eight years that fosters a renewal process to allow for the continuation of improvement and refining of the standard addressing the ever-changing world of environmental concerns. While the below changes have not yet finalized, it offers a glimpse of what is pending.
Notable proposed ASTM Standards changes for the Phase 1 ESA include:
- REC, CREC, and HREC definitions and clarification language
- Good customary and commercial practices
- 3rd party provided AUL and land title searches
- Records review and tie-in to physical setting
- Site visit requirements and adjoining property requirements, based on recent litigation
- Clarification of what type of Environmental Consultants can conduct assessments
- Interviews (i.e., updating in writing by first class mail)
- More robust and detailed report requirements
- Emerging contaminants (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)) – man-made chemicals persistent in the environment and body
- Clarity to the definition of a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC)
- Proposed definition of “likely” within the definition of REC
Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment by NV5/Bock & Clark
At NV5/Bock & Clark, we pride ourselves on the high quality of our Phase 1 ESA. We utilize our environmental professionals on staff as well as those in our network of qualified providers to ensure top-notch Environmental Site Assessments as well as other services to our national customer base. For more information on the Phase 1 ESA, contact us to request a quote, or view our Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment example.