Do I need an NEA Industrial Siting Consultation for my factory?

What the consultation is for

The ISC lets NEA advise on whether a proposed industrial development or activity suits its location. NEA’s stated aim is to site industry so that potential disamenities to residents are minimised.

NEA classifies industries as Clean, Light, General or Special, a scheme set out with recommended siting in Singapore Standard SS 593:2013, the Code of Practice for Pollution Control. Buffer distances apply between industries and residential premises or stay-in facilities.

Other location rules can apply. Activities posing a serious risk of contaminating water resources are not allowed in water catchment areas, and PUB can confirm whether a site lies in one. NEA also refers applicants to SFA or JTC for the locations of designated food zones.

When an ISC is needed, and when it is not

NEA’s page lists two situations for an ISC: a new industrial development, and a new industrial activity or process at industrial premises. Industrial premises here means land zoned Business 1, Business 2 or Business Park in URA’s Master Plan.

NEA states that an ISC is not required in the three cases below. The lease exemption holds only while the existing activities and operations stay the same.

• A transfer, assignment or renewal of lease, where the activities and operations at the premises do not change.
• Non-industrial uses in industrial premises, such as childcare, student care, farming or office use. NEA adds that childcare and student care centres are strictly prohibited on Business 2 land.
• Uses of commercial premises, meaning land zoned for commercial use in the Master Plan.

What to prepare and submit

The 7 working days run from complete and accurate information, so preparation matters. NEA asks applicants to gather documents on the industrial activities proposed at the premises; its examples, which are not a complete list, are:

• A process flowchart.
• The materials and products used or stored.
• Any pollution control equipment to be installed.
• Any fuel-burning equipment to be used.

How the application runs in EPMS

Applications are made online through NEA’s Environment Protection Management System (EPMS). No fee is charged at present for an ISC made through EPMS. NEA’s page names its Development Control Department as the contact for early siting advice.

1. Prepare Gather the documents on the proposed activities and check that you have a valid Singpass or Corppass account.
2. Submit Log in to EPMS, choose your role (factory owner, operator or developer; Qualified Person; or others) and submit. An acknowledgement email with a case ID follows a successful submission.
3. Clarify If the submission is incomplete, NEA asks for more supporting documents through a resubmission in EPMS.
4. Receive advice NEA issues written advice through EPMS once it completes its evaluation. Its page does not state a validity period for the advice.

How the ISC fits with JTC applications

JTC asks for NEA’s input in its own processes. For an assignment (transfer) of lease, JTC’s page lists clearances from NEA’s Development Control and Licensing Department for the transferee’s usage among the documents submitted on the transferee’s behalf. A transfer of tenancy is a separate route, which JTC considers only for corporate restructuring.

JTC’s change-of-use page lists the same NEA clearances for a change-of-use application, without naming the ISC; NEA’s own page presents the ISC as the route for a new industrial activity. NEA, for its part, suggests consulting a JTC officer on the description of the proposed use before submitting.

NEA exempts transfers where activities do not change, but JTC’s transfer page lists NEA clearances without that qualification. Confirm early with JTC what it needs for the case in hand.