All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI)
AAI is the process of evaluating a property's environmental conditions and assessing potential liability for contamination, referenced by EPA in relation to Phase I environmental site assessments and CERCLA liability protections. EPA states that ASTM E1527-21 and E2247-23 are consistent with AAI rule requirements (40 CFR Part 312) and may be used to satisfy statutory AAI requirements for certain liability protections.
- Where it applies
- Federal
- When it comes up
- Due diligence; acquisition underwriting
- Property types
- All acquisitions; especially redevelopment and brownfield-adjacent
In practice
Operators should treat AAI timing requirements and reliance letters as transaction-critical components of environmental diligence packages.
Related terms
Environmental and Due Diligence
- Action (SEQRA)
- Brownfield
- Brownfield Cleanup Agreement (BCA)
- Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP)
- Certificate of Completion (COC)
- City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR)
- Conditioned Negative Declaration (CND)
- Decision Document
- Determination of Significance
- E-Designation
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.