The first involves due diligence on the general contractor, architect, soil upon which the property is to be built, environmental inspections, and appraisals.

In addition, lenders typically require an appraisal and environmental inspection.

When an environmental inspection first found the problems, lab officials said they were taking corrective steps.

"The law provides very hefty penalties for obstruction of an environmental inspection."

We want to see a directive which definitely commits the Member States to introduce environmental inspections operating on broadly similar lines.

We urgently need sound environmental inspection throughout Europe and, in particular, proper implementation of the environmental directives.

For example, the Commission will be preparing a report on joint minimum standards for environmental inspection in the various countries.

That is why we support the proposal for environmental inspections.

However, in future, this Directive on environmental inspections must not be further embellished.

In recent years, though, insurance companies have set up separate divisions to sell the policies as an alternative to environmental inspections.