National – On December 30, 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amended its All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) Rule, codified in 40 CFR Part 312, to include a specific reference to the updated ASTM International Standard E1527-13 for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA). The amendment establishes that compliance by qualified “environmental professionals” with the requirements of E1527-13 will constitute compliance with specific requirements of the AAI Rule and help to establish certain defenses to liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Act (CERCLA).
