As an independent statutory authority under the Environment Protection Act 2017, our role is to prevent and reduce harm from pollution and waste.
As part of this role, we oversee the environmental audit system. This includes:
- overseeing preliminary risk screen assessments (PRSAs)
- overseeing environmental audits
- appointing and monitoring environmental auditors to perform PRSAs and environmental audits.
We do not:
- recommend or engage environmental auditors to conduct PRSAs or environmental audits
- control the progress of PRSAs or environmental audits once they begin, as they are independent processes.
Preliminary risk screen assessments
A preliminary risk screen assessment (PRSA) is used to:
- check the likelihood that there is contaminated land at a site
- determine if a site needs an environmental audit for its proposed use
- recommend the scope of an environmental audit, if required.
A PRSA may be:
- voluntarily undertaken by a landowner or occupier
- mandatory as part of a planning requirement or permit condition.
We publish PRSAs on our public register.
Environmental audits
Environmental audits look at site conditions and activities to assess potential risks of harm from:
- contaminated land
- pollution
- waste
- an activity.
They are used to understand the condition of a site and its suitability for use.
Environmental audits are used by:
- planning authorities
- government
- community
- industry.
We publish environmental audits on our public register.
Environmental auditors
Environmental auditors are appointed by EPA, but work independently. They perform functions under the Act and the Regulations, including environmental audits and PRSA's. EPA regularly monitors and reviews the performance of environmental auditors. You can find more information about environmental auditors here.
We list all EPA appointed environmental auditors on our public register.
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