The Importance of DELH and DPLH Documents for Environmental Compliance

Understanding DELH and DPLH

Many businesses in Indonesia were already operating before AMDAL or UKL-UPL requirements took effect. To ensure environmental compliance, the government provides a transition mechanism through DELH and DPLH.

What Is DELH?

DELH (Environmental Evaluation Document) is a document required for businesses/activities that:

• Already had a business permit before AMDAL requirements took effect
• Do not have an AMDAL document
• The activity falls under the criteria for mandatory AMDAL

DELH is essentially a "retrospective AMDAL" — an environmental impact evaluation for activities that are already ongoing.

DELH Components:

• Evaluation of environmental impacts that have occurred
• Inventory of management efforts already carried out
• Future environmental management plan
• Environmental monitoring plan

What Is DPLH?

DPLH (Environmental Management Document) is a document with a similar concept but for a smaller scale:

• Intended for businesses that do not have UKL-UPL
• Activities were already operating before UKL-UPL requirements existed
• Falls under the criteria for mandatory UKL-UPL but not mandatory AMDAL

DPLH can be analogized as a "retrospective UKL-UPL."

Differences Between DELH and DPLH

Why Are DELH/DPLH Important?

1. Legal Obligation

Businesses that meet criteria for mandatory AMDAL/UKL-UPL but do not have environmental documents are required to prepare DELH/DPLH. Not having these documents can result in:

• Business permit revocation
• Administrative fines
• Environmental criminal prosecution
• Operational shutdown

2. Permit Renewal Requirement

Many regions require environmental documents for operational permit renewal. Without DELH/DPLH, the renewal process can be delayed.

3. Environmental Due Diligence

For companies looking to merge, acquire, or obtain funding, environmental documents are an important part of due diligence conducted by investors.

4. Social Responsibility

Having environmental documents demonstrates the company's commitment to sustainable development and responsibility to surrounding communities.

DELH Preparation Process

1. Activity inventory — Documenting all operational activities and their impacts
2. Environmental data collection — Sampling water, air, and soil quality around the location
3. Impact evaluation — Analysis of impacts that have occurred and those still ongoing
4. RKL-RPL preparation — Future management and monitoring plans
5. Assessment — Presentation before the Feasibility Test Team
6. Approval — Issuance of Environmental Approval

DPLH Preparation Process

1. Activity description — Description of the business/activity that has been running
2. Impact identification — Environmental impacts that have and are still occurring
3. Management efforts — Future impact mitigation plans
4. Monitoring efforts — Periodic environmental monitoring mechanisms
5. Review — Review by the regional environmental agency
6. Issuance — Approval or improvement recommendations

Who Needs to Process DELH/DPLH Immediately?

You need to prepare DELH/DPLH immediately if:

• ✅ Business has been running since before 2012 (before PP 27/2012)
• ✅ Do not have AMDAL or UKL-UPL documents
• ✅ Activity is on the list of mandatory AMDAL or UKL-UPL
• ✅ Will be conducting business permit renewal
• ✅ Requested by the regional Environmental Agency

Tips for DELH/DPLH Processing

1. Don't delay — The longer you delay, the harder it is to collect historical data
2. Collect management evidence — Photos, reports, and records showing environmental management efforts already carried out
3. Inventory changes — Record all activity changes from the beginning of operations
4. Coordinate with the Environmental Agency — Active communication to understand specific regional requirements
5. Use experienced consultants — DELH/DPLH requires retroactive evaluation expertise that differs from regular AMDAL/UKL-UPL

Izin AMDAL has extensive experience in DELH and DPLH preparation for various industry sectors. Contact us for consultation and evaluation of your business's environmental document needs.