The following are the environmental and social policies that IFC followed prior to February 2006, and are provided as reference material only. Only investments made prior to February 2006 are subject to the Safeguard Policies.
In 2006, IFC adopted the Sustainability Framework, which articulates our strategic commitment to sustainable development and is an integral part of our approach to risk management.
The 2006 edition of IFC's Sustainability Framework applies to investments that go through IFC's initial credit review process from February 2006 to December 31, 2011.
The Sustainability Framework has been updated following an 18-month consultation process with stakeholders around the world.
The 2012 edition of IFC's Sustainability Framework applies to all investment and advisory clients whose projects go through IFC's initial credit review process after January 1, 2012.
Disclosure Policy
The Disclosure Policy (September 1998) defined IFC's policy on disclosure of information and described the materials available to the public under that policy. This policy was replaced by the revised IFC Policy on Disclosure of Information in February 2006.
Disclosure Policy (September 1998) [PDF]
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Safeguard Policies
The Safeguard Policies provided guidelines for IFC and its clients on how to prevent and mitigate undue harm to people and their environment in the identification, preparation, and implementation of projects. The Safeguard Policies were replaced by the Policy on Social and Environmental Sustainability and the Performance Standards in February 2006.
Environmental Assessment (OP 4.01, October 1998) [PDF]
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Natural Habitats (OP 4.04, November 1998) [PDF]
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Pest Management (OP 4.09, November 1998) [PDF]
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Forestry (OP 4.36, November 1998) [PDF]
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Safety of Dams (OP 4.37, September 1996) [PDF]
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International Waterways (OP 7.50, November 1998) [PDF]
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Indigenous Peoples (OD 4.20, September 1991) [PDF]
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Involuntary Resettlement (OD 4.30, June 1990) [PDF]
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Cultural Property (OPN 11.03, September 1986) [PDF]
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Child and Forced Labor Policy Statement (March 1998) [PDF]
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Environmental and Social Review Procedure
The Environmental and Social Review Procedure (December 1998) was prepared for IFC staff and project sponsors to evaluate prospective projects prior to investment, focusing on economic, financial, technical, legal, environmental and social issues during the project appraisal process. This policy was replaced by the revised Environmental and Social Review Procedure in April 2006 and again in July 2007 (both shown below), with the latest update occurring in February 2009.
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Guidance Notes
The Guidance Notes accompanied the December 1998 Environmental and Social Review Procedure (ESRP) and contained additional information to assist IFC staff and project sponsors in applying the ESRP. These policies were replaced by the revised Guidance Notes in February 2006 (see below), which were again updated in July 2007.
Guidance Notes (December 1998)
Guidance Notes (February 2006)
Guidance Notes (full document) [PDF]
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Guidance Notes (introduction) [PDF]
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Guidance Note 1: Social and Environmental Assessment and Management System [PDF]
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Guidance Note 2: Labor and Working Conditions [PDF]
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Guidance Note 3: Pollution Prevention and Abatement [PDF]
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Guidance Note 4: Community Health, Safety and Security [PDF]
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Guidance Note 5: Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement [PDF]
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Guidance Note 6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Natural Resource Management [PDF]
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Guidance Note 7: Indigenous Peoples [PDF]
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Guidance Note 8: Cultural Heritage [PDF]
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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines / Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook
As of April 30, 2007, new versions of the World Bank Group Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines are now in use. The new EHS Guidelines replace the documents below, which were previously published in Part III of the Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook (PPAH) and on the IFC website.
PPAH Part III: Project Guidelines [PDF]
Pollutants [PDF]
Pollutant Control Technologies [PDF]
IFC Guidelines [PDF]
World Bank Guidelines [PDF]
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IFC Exclusion List
The IFC Exclusion List defines the types of projects that IFC does not finance. The below Exclusion List relates to IFC's investments prior to IFC's introduction of the Environmental and Social Review Procedure version 2 dated July 30, 2007. This version of the Exclusion List was replaced by the revised IFC Exclusion List in March 2007.
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