Recognized Environmental Condition (REC)
A Phase I ESA finding under ASTM E1527, not a PCA term: the presence or likely presence of a release of hazardous substances; the boundary between the reports.
By Nicolas Reimer, Founder, Baseline PCR · ASTM E1527-21 · Published September 18, 2026
The term belongs to the Phase I environmental site assessment under ASTM E1527, where a recognized environmental condition is, in substance, the presence or likely presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products on a property resulting from a release to the environment. It appears here because PCA writers need to know where their report stops. Environmental assessment is on E2018's out-of-scope list, and the 2024 edition added E1527 to its referenced documents so a PCA that touches the subject cites the right standard.
A PCA may note a transformer, a fill port or staining at a dumpster pad as site conditions; it does not evaluate them as environmental conditions, and it does not use this term for its own findings. See PCA vs Phase I ESA.
Related: additional considerations.
Sources
- ASTM E1527-21, Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process (ASTM International)
- US EPA, All Appropriate Inquiries
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