Recognized Environmental Condition (REC)

Recognized Environmental Condition (REC) is one of the terms used to identify environmental liability within the context of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. ASTM defines the recognized environmental condition in the E1527-13 standard as “the presence or likely presence of any hazardous substances or petroleum products in, on, or at a property: (1) due to release to the environment; (2) under conditions indicative of a release to the environment; or (3) under conditions that pose a material threat of a future release to the environment. de minimis conditions are not recognized environmental conditions.”

The E1527-13 standard modified the Recognized Environmental Condition definition from that within the previous E1527-05 version, with the intention of making it clearer and simpler to understand.