An Environmental Baseline Study (EBS) is a soil and groundwater investigation carried out to:

• Establish the baseline level of potential contaminants in the soil and groundwater beneath the site
• Assess the extent of contamination of the site

Decontamination works for the site will be dependent on the EBS results.

If your business involves pollutive activities or stores diesel, petroleum or flammable materials, an EBS is required when you:

• Obtain, renew, extend or terminate* your tenancy, lease or Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL)
• Transfer^ or assign your tenancy, lease or TOL
• Change the usage of your premises
• Sublet your premises

*Includes En-bloc Redevelopment (EBR) cases or cases where JTC buys back your leases.

^Includes transfer cases such as corporate restructuring.

An EBS can take up to 4 months to complete.

Who is responsible for the EBS and decontamination works

Engage a qualified consultant

As we only accept EBS reports from qualified consultants, please choose from the latest list of consultants published in the National Environment Agency's (NEA) website.

Read our technical guidelines for more information. Also, do ensure the data submitted for soil and groundwater samples tested adhere to these templates:

• EBS Dutch Standard (2009)
• EBS Dutch Standard (2000)

Practice Circulars

Please refer to the following Practice Circulars for updates to our policies and procedures:

• JTC’s Practice Circular dated 20 Sep 2002
• JTC’s Practice Circular dated 6 Aug 2001