{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/recognized-environmental-condition","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/recognized-environmental-condition","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"recognized-environmental-condition","term":"Recognized Environmental Condition","aka":"REC","group":"Reading the business","definition":"An environmental term for the presence or likely presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products on a property, indicating potential contamination.","what_it_means":"If a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment identifies an REC, it means there's a past or current condition that suggests contamination. This could be anything from old underground storage tanks to spills. An REC usually triggers a recommendation for a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment to determine the extent of the contamination and cleanup costs.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/recognized-environmental-condition","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"environmental-questionnaire","term":"Environmental Questionnaire","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/environmental-questionnaire"},{"slug":"phase-i-environmental-site-assessment","term":"Phase I Environmental Site Assessment","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/phase-i-environmental-site-assessment"},{"slug":"phase-ii-environmental-site-assessment","term":"Phase II Environmental Site Assessment","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/phase-ii-environmental-site-assessment"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What if a Phase I ESA identifies a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC) but deems it a 'de minimis' condition?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-if-a-phase-i-esa-identifies-a-recognized-environmental-condition-rec-but-deems-it-a-d"},{"question":"When a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) identifies a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC), what are the lender's subsequent responsibilities?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-a-phase-i-environmental-site-assessment-esa-identifies-a-recognized-environmental-con"},{"question":"What steps should a lender take if a Phase I ESA identifies a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC)?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-steps-should-a-lender-take-if-a-phase-i-esa-identifies-a-recognized-environmental-con"},{"question":"What are a lender's responsibilities if a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) identifies a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC) but recommends no further action?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-a-lender-s-responsibilities-if-a-phase-i-environmental-site-assessment-esa-identi"},{"question":"If a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) identifies Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs), what are the next steps for a lender?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/if-a-phase-i-environmental-site-assessment-esa-identifies-recognized-environmental-conditi"},{"question":"What are a lender's responsibilities if a Phase I ESA identifies Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs)?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-a-lender-s-responsibilities-if-a-phase-i-esa-identifies-recognized-environmental-"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Recognized Environmental Condition","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/recognized-environmental-condition","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}