Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC): A Practical Guide

Understanding ECC requirements, project coverage, and the environmental assessment process in the Philippines

ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS & COMPLIANCE

8/16/20264 min read

An Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) is a document issued under the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System (PEISS) after a proposed project has undergone the applicable environmental impact assessment and review process.

The ECC sets out the conditions and environmental management measures that the project proponent must observe during project implementation and operation.

Securing an ECC does not automatically exempt a project from other environmental permits, licenses, clearances, or regulatory requirements that may be applicable to its activities.

What is an Environmental Compliance Certificate?

aerial view of road in the middle of forest

An aerial view of the coastal town of El Nido in the Philippines.

Who Needs an ECC?

Not every project automatically requires an ECC.

Project coverage under the PEISS is determined based on the nature and characteristics of the proposed undertaking, including its project type, size or capacity, location, and applicable project thresholds.

Under the current coverage-screening framework, projects generally fall under different categories.

Category A – Environmentally Critical Projects (ECPs)
Projects classified as environmentally critical under applicable proclamations and subsequent issuances are required to secure an ECC.

Category B – Non-Environmentally Critical Projects located in Environmentally Critical Areas (ECAs)
Projects that are not themselves classified as ECPs may nevertheless require an ECC when their characteristics and location meet the applicable coverage criteria and thresholds.

Other projects may fall outside ECC coverage depending on their classification and applicable thresholds.

Because project characteristics vary considerably, proponents should determine PEISS coverage during the early stages of project planning.

Check Your Project Threshold

Important: Some project thresholds have been amended or supplemented by subsequent DENR-EMB issuances. Project proponents should therefore verify whether a more recent project-specific guideline applies before relying solely on the thresholds contained in MC 2014-005.

View Project Threshold Guidelines →

What Does the ECC Application Process Involve?

One of the first steps in determining whether an ECC may be required is to identify the applicable project threshold.

DENR-EMB Memorandum Circular No. 2014-005 provides the Guidelines for Coverage Screening and Standardized Requirements under the PEISS. Its Annex A contains project thresholds used for coverage screening and categorization.

Thresholds vary according to project type and may be based on parameters such as:

Project area
Production capacity
Generating capacity
Extraction rate
Facility capacity
Length or extent of development
Other project-specific parameters

The applicable threshold helps determine whether a project is covered by the PEISS and the environmental assessment documentation that may be required.

Official DENR-EMB Project Threshold Guidelines:
EMB Memorandum Circular No. 2014-005 – Guidelines for Coverage Screening and Standardized Requirements under the PEISS

An Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) serve different purposes under the PEISS.

Environmental Compliance Certificate

An ECC is issued for projects determined to be covered by the Philippine EIS System after completing the applicable environmental assessment and review requirements.

Certificate of Non-Coverage

A CNC certifies that a project is not covered by the Philippine EIS System and is therefore not required to secure an ECC.

A CNC, however, does not exempt an establishment or project from complying with other applicable environmental laws and regulations.

A project may still need permits or registrations relating to air emissions, wastewater discharge, hazardous waste, chemicals, or other regulated activities even if it is not required to secure an ECC.

ECC or CNC: What Is the Difference?

Applicable Laws and Guidelines

Depending on the nature of the project or establishment, other environmental requirements may include:

Permit to Operate (PTO)
Discharge Permit
Hazardous Waste Generator Registration
Permit to Transport (PTT)
Chemical-related registrations or requirements
Environmental monitoring and reporting
Compliance Monitoring Reports
Other DENR-EMB permits, clearances, and regulatory requirements

The specific requirements will depend on the project's activities, emissions, discharges, waste generation, chemical use, and other operational characteristics.

What Happens After an ECC Is Issued?

Presidential Decree No. 1586 - issued in 1978, established the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System. It provides the fundamental legal framework for requiring environmental assessment and an ECC for projects and areas declared environmentally critical.

Presidential Proclamation No. 2146 Series of 1981 - identified categories of Environmentally Critical Projects (ECPs) and Environmentally Critical Areas (ECAs) within the scope of the Philippine EIS System.

Subsequent proclamations and regulatory issuances have supplemented these classifications.

DENR Administrative Order No. 2003-30 - provides the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System. Its procedural framework covers project screening, environmental assessment, review, decision-making, monitoring, and other aspects of PEISS implementation.

Revised Procedural Manual for DAO 2003-30 - provides more detailed procedures and guidance for implementing the Philippine EIS System, including project screening, EIA report requirements, review procedures, and ECC processing.

EMB Memorandum Circular No. 2014-005 - provides updated Guidelines for Coverage Screening and Standardized Requirements under the PEISS.

Among its key components are:

Annex A – Project Thresholds for Coverage Screening and Categorization
Annex B – Decision Chart for Determination of Requirements for Project Modification
Annex C – Pro-Forma Project Description for CNC Applications

Project proponents should also check subsequent DENR and EMB issuances because specific project categories and thresholds may have been updated after the issuance of MC 2014-005.

Official References

For current requirements and official guidance, project proponents should refer directly to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau.

DENR-EMB ECC Requirement Coverage Screening - contains the official coverage-screening information and links to Annexes A, B, and C of EMB MC 2014-005.

EMB MC 2014-005 – Project Threshold Guidelines - refer to Annex A for project thresholds used in coverage screening and categorization.

Revised Procedural Manual for DAO 2003-30 - provides detailed guidance on implementation of the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System.

gray and brown factory near sea under blue sky

Planning a Project?

Determining environmental requirements early in project development can help proponents anticipate the necessary studies, approvals, timelines, and compliance obligations.

Envia Consultancy, Inc. provides environmental consulting services covering project screening, environmental assessment documentation, ECC applications, environmental studies, permitting, and regulatory compliance.

Request Environmental Consulting Assistance →