Following through on a December 2013 announcement, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency is deleting the 2005 ASTM Phase I
standard for use by purchasers of real property in satisfying the
federal "all appropriate inquiries" (AAI) requirements.
These AAI requirements are critical to the innocent purchaser, bona
fide prospective purchaser and contiguous landowner defenses to
liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).
Published as a final rule in the October 6, 2014, Federal
Register and effective October 6, 2015, the E1527-05 standard
will be deleted from the list of approved due diligence options.
This means that most Phase I environmental site assessments will be
completed following the newer E1527-13 standard, although
purchasers of rural and forestland property do have the option of
using
Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I
Environmental Site Assessment Process for Forestland or
