Industrial Siting Consultation (ISC)

Industrial developments should be appropriately sited to minimise potential dis-amenities from residential premises or stay-in facilities such as hospital, nursing home, etc. While industrial developments have a set of Regulatory environmental requirements to comply with to prevent pollution, residual or fugitive emissions of smell, dust and noise cannot be eliminated. These emissions could pose dis-amenities to residents whose homes are located close to these industries.
 
To minimise such dis-amenities, buffer distances are applied between residential premises or stay-in facilities and industries. Industries are classified into four categories: Clean, Light, General, and Special. This classification together with land-use planning (i.e. clean and light industries on Business 1 site, etc.) aims to address potential dis-amenities from industry.
 
More information on the classification of industry and their recommended siting can be found in the Singapore Standard SS 593:2013.

You may consult NEA via ISC submission for:

1. New industrial development
2. New industrial activity/process at industrial premises

ISC is not required for the following:

• Proposed non-industrial uses (e.g. childcare, student care, farming, office) in industrial premises (i.e. land zoned for Business 1, Business 2 and Business Park under URA’s Master Plan)
• Proposed uses of commercial premises (i.e. land zoned for commercial uses under the Master Plan)
• Transfer, assignment or renewal of lease so long there is no change to the existing activities and operations conducted at the premises.

Please click on the headers below for the steps to apply for ISC in EPMS

Follow these steps:

1. Prepare Documentation

• Ensure valid SingPass/CorpPass account
• Gather required documents on the proposed industrial activities to be carried out (e.g. process flowchart, material/products used or stored, installation of pollution control equipment, use of fuel burning equipment, etc.)

2. Submit Application

• Log in to the Environment Protection Management System
• Click on “Industrial Siting Consultation”
• Choose Submission Type (“New submission” or “Re-submission”)
• Choose Factory Type (“New factory” or “Existing Factory”)
• Select your role ("Factory Owner/Operator/Developer" or "Qualified Person" or "Others")
• Click "Next" and upload gathered documents highlighted in Bullet Point 2 of "Prepare Document"

3. Post Submission

• Await acknowledgement email with Case ID (Receipt Number) upon successful submission
• NEA may contact you for additional information, if required.
• A written advice will be issued via EPMS upon completion of evaluation

You may refer to the user manual available online for the detailed steps for making ISC application via our EPMS.  

Note: All correspondences for ISC will be conducted via EPMS. 

The processing time for ISC is 7 working days upon submission of complete and accurate information/ documents. More time would be needed if consultation with other divisions within NEA or government agencies or site survey is involved.

In the event of an incomplete submission, NEA will request the applicants to provide additional supporting documents via resubmission in EPMS. Applicants would receive an email from NEA for the request for more information.

 A written advice will be issued via EPMS upon completion of evaluation.

Q1. Is ISC necessary for change in company business name?

A1. ISC is not necessary if there is no change in the company's factory address and activities. However, you are required to keep the Pollution Control 1 Division of the National Environment Agency informed via writing if the companies have previously obtained a Written Permission from the Pollution Control 1 Division. The name of the officer-in-charge from the Pollution Control 1 Division of the National Environment Agency is available in our ISC advice letter to the company. Alternatively, you may contact NEA via the channels available at https://www.nea.gov.sg/corporate-functions/Contact-Us with the relevant information. 

Q2. Will I receive an acknowledgement for my ISC submission?
 
A2. If your ISC is successfully submitted, you will receive an e-mail acknowledgment providing the Case ID (Receipt Number) of your ISC.

Q3. How can I find out the classification of my intended trade?
 
A3. The classification of industrial activities/uses can be found in the Singapore Standard on the Code of Practice for Pollution Control (i.e. SS 593:2013). You may purchase a copy of the SS 593:2013 from https://www.singaporestandardseshop.sg/Product/SSPdtDetail/8ca1dc6d-6181-47b4-b20c-cf8d10d8640a

Q4. What type of industrial activities is disallowed within water catchment areas and where can I obtain information on the location of these water catchment areas?
 
A4. Industrial activities that can cause serious contamination risk to water resources are not allowed to be sited within water catchment areas. You may enquire with PUB whether your proposed factory location is within water catchment areas, and the type of industrial activities that are not allowed.

Q5. Does non-industrial facilities, such as canteen, restaurants, cafe, bar, shops, etc. situated within industrial premises require ISC?
 
A5. ISC is not required for proposed non-industrial uses in industrial premises.

Q6. Is ISC required for the siting of childcare/student care centres within industrial premises?

A6. Childcare and student care centres may be located on land zoned for Business Parks (BP) and Business 1 (B1), but are strictly prohibited on land zoned for Business 2 (B2) uses. Please note that BP and B1 sites are permitted to store, use, and handle small quantities of chemicals. Whilst companies are required to implement safety measures to contain and mitigate any accidental chemical releases, their activities may generate air pollutants and noise emissions. Hence, there is a likelihood that childcare and student care centres located within land zoned for BP and B1 may be affected should there be an industrial emissions or incident in its vicinity. Given these considerations, you are advised to choose your site carefully when planning for childcare or student care centre uses.

Q7. Can I reply to the written advice directly to the email address of the processing officer instead of routing via EPMS?
 
A7. All replies to the written advice must be responded via the EPMS for official record keeping purposes.

Q8. If I misplaced the ISC advisory letter, do I need to re-submit ISC?
 
A8. You do not need to resubmit for ISC provided that there is no change of use for your industrial premises.

Q9. Is ISC required for transfer, assignment or renewal of lease if there is no change of activities?
 
A9. ISC is not required for transfer, assignment or renewal of lease provided that there is no change to the activities.

Q10. If JTC requires me to amend the caption on the ISC advisory letter, can the ISC advisory letter be amended?
 
A10. The caption on the ISC advisory letter follows the proposed use indicated in your ISC submission. You may want to consult JTC officer on the description of your proposed use before submitting the ISC to NEA. If you have any difficulties, you may request the JTC officer to contact our processing officer directly.

Q11. Do I have to pay for ISC via EPMS?
 
A11. No fees are charged at present for ISC made via EPMS.

Q12. Can I save my ISC submission as draft in EPMS?
 
A12. Yes, you are able to save the ISC submission as a draft in EPMS.  

Q13. How can I submit additional information / documents if the total file size exceeds 100MB?
 
A13. If your total file size to be attached exceeds 100MB, please attach the additional information / documents via multiple re-submissions.

Q14. Where are the industrial premises which are designated for food factory use?
 
A14. You may enquire with SFA or JTC for the locations of the designated food zone areas.