Transaction Screen Assessment
Transaction Screen Assessment (TSA)
A Transaction Screen Assessment (TSA), conducted in accordance with ASTM E1528, is a streamlined environmental due diligence tool used to evaluate potential environmental concerns on a property. It is designed for low-risk sites and offers a more limited review compared to a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA). The TSA includes a visual inspection of the property, a review of standard environmental databases, and completion of a structured questionnaire by the user and environmental professional.
Unlike a Phase I ESA, the TSA does not meet the All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) requirements under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980 and therefore does not provide federal landowner liability protections. However, it can still serve as a useful tool for identifying obvious environmental red flags during property transactions or early project planning.
A TSA can provide valuable insight at a lower cost and shorter turnaround time, making it a practical choice in the right circumstances. However, for sites with potential industrial history, known contamination, or where liability protection is a concern, a Phase I ESA is the recommended and more comprehensive option
Why Choose a TSA Over a Phase I ESA?
The property is considered low environmental risk, such as undeveloped land, residential properties, or light commercial sites with no known history of hazardous use.
A lender or investor requests some level of environmental review, but a full Phase I ESA is not required.
In the early stages of a transaction where a faster, more cost-effective screen for potential issues is needed.
There is a need to make informed decisions quickly, especially for smaller transactions or portfolio reviews.