From 1 August 2019, the EPA requires South Australian site contamination practitioners to be certified by one of two national schemes under certain circumstances.
The EPA has accredited specialists as auditors since 2007. However where an audit is not required, a gap has remained for people who practise as assessment and remediation professionals.
Certification schemes for site contamination are relatively new in Australia. The lack of certification can pose a risk to human health, contribute to financial loss and personal hardship to current and future property owners, and result in legal action.
The Environment Protection Authority’s Site contamination policy: certification of practitioners came into effect on 1 August 2019, recognising the standards necessary for the recognition of certifying schemes, and the circumstances under which the EPA will recommend or require the use of certified practitioners.
There are two existing schemes in Australia – one managed by the Environmental Institute Australia and New Zealand and the second managed by Soil Science Australia – and both have been recognised as able to certify site contamination practitioners.
The EPA has worked closely with both schemes to ensure they meet nationally agreed standards.
Read more on certification here or contact the EPA Site Contamination branch by emailing epasitecontam@epa.sa.gov.au