ASTM E1903-19

4.1 Uses: 

1.1 This practice2 covers a process for conducting a Phase II environmental site assessment (1.1.1 A user's interest in the presence or likely presence of substances in environmental media at a property may arise in a wide variety of legal, regulatory, and commercial contexts, and may involve diverse objectives including those listed in 1.2. This practice contemplates that the user and the Phase II Assessor will consult to define the scope and objectives of investigation in light of relevant factors, including without limitation the substances released or possibly released at the 1.1.2 A Phase II ESA in accordance with this practice may be conducted after site assessment activities in accordance with Practice E1527 for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process, Practice E2247 for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment for Forestland or Rural Property, EPA’s All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) Rule, 40 C.F.R. Part 312, or Practice E1528 for 1.2 Objectives—This practice is intended for use where a user desires to obtain sound, scientifically valid data concerning actual property conditions, whether or not such data relate to property conditions previously identified as 1.2.1 Objective 1—Assess whether there has been a 1.2.2 Objective 2—Provide information relevant to identifying, defining or implementing landowner “1.2.3 Objective 3—Develop threshold knowledge of the presence of substances on properties within the scope of the 1.2.4 Objective 4—Provide information relevant to identifying, defining and evaluating property conditions associated with target analytes that may pose risk to human health or the environment, or risk of bodily injury to persons on the property and thereby give rise to potential liability in tort.

1.2.5 Objective 5—Provide information relevant to evaluating and allocating business environmental risk in transactional and contractual contexts, including transferring, financing and insuring properties, and due diligence relating thereto.

1.2.6 Objective 6—Provide information to support disclosure of liabilities and contingent liabilities in financial statements and securities reporting.

1.2.7 Additional information concerning these six objectives may be found in the Legal Appendix, Appendix X1.

1.3 Scope of Assessment in Relation to Objectives—The scope of a 1.3.1 In developing the scope of work and in evaluating data and information concerning the property, the 1.3.2 A single round of sampling and 1.3.3 This practice does not require full 1.4 Needs of the User—The user and Phase II Assessor must have a mutual understanding of the context in which the Phase II ESA is to be performed and the objectives to be met by the investigation, i.e. the specific questions to be answered or problems to be resolved by the 1.4.1 The degree of confidence desired by the 1.5 Limitations—This practice is not intended to supersede applicable requirements imposed by regulatory authorities. This practice does not attempt to define a legal standard of care either for the performance of professional services with respect to matters within its scope, or for the performance of any individual Phase II ESA.

1.6 Organization of This Practice—This practice has nine sections and four appendices. Section 1 covers the Scope of the practice. Section 2, Referenced Documents, lists ASTM and other organizations’ related standards and guidance that may be useful in conducting 1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.