When evaluating a mortgage or lending instrument where property is used as security, RBC and our clients routinely use RBC Pre-Qualified Environmental Consultants to investigate the environmental condition of that property. These investigations may involve a Phase I, II, III or IV Environmental Site Assessment, and less routinely, Environmental Audits of complex industrial operations. The Environmental Risk Management Group (ERMG) maintains enterprise-wide policies regarding RBC Pre-Qualified Environmental Consultants to ensure the robustness of information and to help facilitate efficient credit approval.
Generally, in order to become eligible as an RBC Pre-Qualified Environmental Consultant, a consultant (or firm) must have at least three full-time licensed professionals (P.Eng, P.Geo) with degrees in civil, chemical, environmental or geological engineering, hydrogeology, geology or environmental science. At least one of those professionals should possess an advanced degree and seven years of experience in order to be classified as an expert witness. The focus of the firm must be on environmental assessments. Consideration of highly qualified firms without the requisite number of professionals will be made on an exception basis in currently under serviced regions.
