Who Can Prepare AMDAL Documents in Indonesia? Professional Certification and Consulting Firm Requirements Under PP 22/2021
Executive Summary
Not everyone can prepare an AMDAL (Environmental Impact Assessment) document in Indonesia. Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021 (PP 22/2021) establishes a comprehensive professional certification system that governs who may author these critical environmental documents. The regulation creates a structured pathway from training through examination to certification, ensuring that AMDAL preparers possess the technical competence necessary for accurate environmental assessment.
The certification system operates at two qualification levels: team leader (ketua tim) and team member (anggota tim). Each AMDAL author team must include at least one certified team leader and a minimum of two certified members. Beyond individual certification, consulting firms that offer AMDAL preparation services must register with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, demonstrating they employ sufficient certified personnel and maintain quality management systems.
This framework directly impacts project proponents, environmental consultants, and training institutions. Understanding the certification requirements, evaluation cycles, and potential sanctions is essential for anyone involved in Indonesia's environmental assessment ecosystem. The system creates accountability throughout the AMDAL preparation process, from the individuals who write documents to the institutions that train and certify them.
Background & Context
Environmental impact assessment quality in Indonesia has historically varied significantly depending on who prepared the documents. Some AMDAL reports lacked scientific rigor, contained copied content from other assessments, or failed to accurately characterize project impacts. These quality issues undermined the environmental approval process and raised concerns about the credibility of AMDAL as an environmental protection tool.
Recognizing these challenges, Indonesia's environmental protection framework has progressively strengthened requirements for AMDAL authors. Earlier regulations established basic competency requirements, but PP 22/2021 codifies a more comprehensive system that addresses the entire professional lifecycle: initial training, competency testing, certificate issuance, ongoing evaluation, and potential revocation. The regulation also extends accountability to the institutions that train authors and the firms that employ them.
The certification system serves multiple purposes. For environmental regulators, it creates a quality assurance mechanism that can be monitored and enforced. For project proponents, it provides confidence that their AMDAL preparers meet established standards. For certified professionals, it creates a credential that distinguishes qualified practitioners from unqualified ones. The system also supports Indonesia's broader environmental governance goals by ensuring that environmental impact assessments provide reliable information for decision-making.
PP 22/2021 consolidates AMDAL author requirements within the broader environmental protection framework established by Law No. 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management. The regulation took effect on February 2, 2021, giving existing practitioners and institutions time to align with the new requirements while establishing clear standards for new entrants.
Key Provisions
AMDAL Author Team Structure
Every AMDAL document must be prepared by a formally constituted author team appointed by the project proponent. The regulation specifies the minimum composition and certification requirements for these teams.
Pasal 67 Ayat 3-5:
"(3) Tim penyusun Amdal sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) terdiri atas: a. ketua; dan b. anggota. (4) Ketua sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (3) huruf a wajib memiliki sertifikat kompetensi yang memenuhi standar kualifikasi ketua tim penyusun Amdal. (5) Anggota sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (3) huruf b paling sedikit terdiri atas 2 (dua) orang yang wajib memiliki sertifikat kompetensi yang memenuhi standar kualifikasi anggota tim penyusun Amdal dan/atau kualifikasi ketua tim penyusun Amdal."
This provision establishes the two-tier team structure. The team must have one leader (ketua) with team leader certification and at least two members (anggota) with either member or leader certification. Notably, persons holding team leader certificates may serve as team members, providing flexibility in team composition. The regulation also requires teams to engage subject matter experts appropriate to the project's specific environmental impacts.
Three-Stage Certification Pathway
The regulation creates a structured pathway to obtain AMDAL author certification, involving training, testing, and certificate issuance.
Pasal 68 Ayat 3-4:
"(3) Sistem sertifikasi kompetensi penyusun Amdal sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) meliputi tahapan: a. pelatihan penyusunan Amdal; b. uji kompetensi; dan c. penerbitan sertifikat kompetensi penyusun Amdal. (4) Penerbitan sertifikat kompetensi penyusun Amdal sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (3) huruf c terdiri atas: a. kualifikasi ketua tim penyusun Amdal; dan b. kualifikasi anggota tim penyusun Amdal."
Aspiring AMDAL authors must first complete training at an accredited institution, then pass a competency examination administered by a designated certification body. Upon successful completion, they receive certificates for either team leader or team member qualification. The two qualification levels reflect different competency standards, with team leaders requiring more advanced capabilities.
Training Institution Accreditation
Training institutions that wish to offer AMDAL competency training must obtain accreditation from the Minister of Environment and Forestry. The regulation sets specific requirements for these institutions.
Pasal 69 Ayat 2-3:
"(2) Lembaga pelatihan kompetensi Amdal sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) mengajukan permohonan akreditasi kepada Menteri dengan dilengkapi persyaratan meliputi: a. identitas lembaga pelatihan kompetensi Amdal; b. penanggung jawab pelatihan kompetensi penyusun Amdal; c. daftar pengajar tetap dan tidak tetap yang memiliki pengalaman menyusun Amdal paling sedikit 5 (lima) tahun; d. menggunakan bahan ajar (kurikulum) Amdal berdasarkan standar kompetensi; e. menyediakan informasi publik mengenai pelaksanaan pelatihan kompetensi penyusun Amdal; dan f. sistem manajemen mutu. (3) Menteri memberikan akreditasi kepada lembaga pelatihan kompetensi Amdal yang telah memenuhi ketentuan dalam jangka waktu paling lama 3 (tiga) hari kerja..."
The instructor experience requirement of at least five years of AMDAL preparation ensures that training is delivered by practitioners with substantial real-world experience. The three-working-day timeline for accreditation decisions reflects the regulatory streamlining approach of PP 22/2021, though institutions must submit complete documentation to meet this timeline.
Certification Body Requirements
Certification bodies that administer competency examinations and issue certificates must meet even more stringent requirements than training institutions.
Pasal 70 Ayat 2:
"(2) Lembaga sertifikasi kompetensi Amdal sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) mengajukan permohonan penetapan kepada Menteri dengan dilengkapi persyaratan meliputi: a. identitas lembaga sertifikasi kompetensi Amdal; b. penanggung jawab sertifikasi kompetensi Amdal; c. sistem uji kompetensi sesuai dengan ketentuan peraturan perundang-undangan; d. penguji yang memiliki pengalaman paling sedikit 10 (sepuluh) tahun di bidang penyusunan Amdal; e. sistem informasi publik yang terkait dengan pelaksanaan uji kompetensi; f. mekanisme penanganan pengaduan dari pengguna jasa dan publik; dan g. sistem manajemen mutu."
The ten-year experience requirement for examiners is notably higher than the five-year requirement for training instructors, reflecting the greater responsibility of assessing competency versus teaching skills. Certification bodies must also establish complaint handling mechanisms, providing recourse for examination candidates who believe they were unfairly assessed.
Three-Year Evaluation Cycle
Certification is not permanent. The regulation requires periodic evaluation of certificate holders based on the quality of AMDAL documents they produce.
Pasal 71 Ayat 2-3:
"(2) Lembaga sertifikasi kompetensi Amdal melakukan evaluasi terhadap pemegang sertifikat kompetensi paling sedikit 1 (satu) kali dalam jangka waktu 3 (tiga) tahun. (3) Evaluasi sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (2) dilaksanakan terhadap mutu Amdal yang disusun."
This provision creates ongoing accountability for certified authors. Rather than evaluating abstract competency, the evaluation examines the actual AMDAL documents prepared by the certificate holder. Poor quality work over time can result in certificate revocation, creating strong incentives for maintaining professional standards.
Certificate Revocation Grounds
The regulation specifies three grounds for certificate revocation that constitute serious professional misconduct.
Pasal 72 Ayat 2:
"(2) Pencabutan sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) huruf b dilakukan jika penyusun Amdal: a. menyalahgunakan sertifikat kompetensi; b. melakukan penjiplakan dalam penyusunan Amdal; dan/atau c. melakukan pemalsuan data dan informasi dalam penyusunan Amdal."
Certificate misuse, plagiarism in AMDAL preparation, and data falsification all warrant revocation. These grounds address the most serious quality concerns that have historically affected AMDAL documents. Authors whose certificates are revoked are prohibited from preparing AMDAL documents, and revocations are publicly announced.
Consulting Firm Registration
Environmental consulting firms that wish to offer AMDAL preparation services must register with the Ministry and demonstrate adequate certified personnel and quality systems.
Pasal 73 Ayat 1:
"(1) Lembaga penyedia jasa penyusunan Amdal sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 67 ayat (2) huruf b mengajukan permohonan registrasi kepada Menteri dengan dilengkapi persyaratan: a. identitas pemohon; b. akte pendirian badan hukum; c. penanggung jawab sertifikasi kompetensi Amdal; d. memiliki paling sedikit 2 (dua) orang tenaga tetap penyusun Amdal yang memiliki sertifikat kompetensi yang memenuhi standar kualifikasi ketua tim penyusun Amdal; e. memiliki paling sedikit 2 (dua) orang tenaga tetap penyusun Amdal yang memiliki sertifikat kompetensi yang memenuhi standar kualifikasi anggota tim penyusun Amdal..."
Consulting firms must employ at least two permanent staff with team leader certification and two permanent staff with member certification. This ensures firms have sufficient internal capacity to lead and staff AMDAL projects. The registration is granted within three working days upon complete application, and firms must report annually on their continued compliance.
Sanctions Escalation
Institutions that fail to maintain their accreditation, establishment, or registration requirements face escalating sanctions.
Pasal 75 Ayat 1-3:
"(1) Dalam hal hasil evaluasi Menteri menunjukkan: a. lembaga pelatihan kompetensi Amdal tidak memenuhi akreditasi...; b. lembaga sertifikasi kompetensi Amdal tidak memenuhi penetapan...; atau c. lembaga penyedia jasa penyusunan Amdal tidak memenuhi registrasi..., Menteri memberikan peringatan tertulis. (2) Lembaga... yang tidak melaksanakan ketentuan mengenai peringatan tertulis dalam jangka waktu 30 (tiga puluh) hari kerja sejak peringatan tertulis diterima, Menteri melakukan pembekuan akreditasi, penetapan, atau registrasi lembaga. (3) Pembekuan sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (2) diberikan dalam jangka waktu 1 (satu) tahun."
The sanctions progress from written warning to one-year suspension to permanent revocation. During suspension, institutions are prohibited from conducting their authorized activities. If non-compliance continues after the suspension period ends, the Ministry revokes the authorization entirely.
Implementation & Compliance
Project proponents commissioning AMDAL documents must verify that their chosen preparers hold valid certifications. For individual-based teams, this means confirming that the team leader and members possess current certificates at the appropriate qualification levels. For consulting firms, proponents should verify the firm's registration status and confirm that assigned personnel are certified.
The certification verification process can be conducted through the Ministry's environmental information system, which maintains records of certified individuals, accredited training institutions, designated certification bodies, and registered consulting firms. Proponents are advised to document their verification efforts as part of their environmental due diligence.
Environmental consultants seeking certification should identify accredited training institutions offering AMDAL competency programs. Upon completing training, they must apply to a certification body for examination. The competency test assesses both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in AMDAL preparation. Successful candidates receive certificates valid until their next three-year evaluation.
Training institutions and certification bodies operate under ministerial oversight, with inspections occurring at least once every three years. Annual reporting requirements ensure ongoing compliance visibility. Institutions should maintain documentation of their continued compliance with all requirements, including instructor qualifications, curriculum updates, examiner credentials, and quality management systems.
Conclusion
PP 22/2021's AMDAL author certification system creates a comprehensive framework for ensuring environmental impact assessment quality in Indonesia. By requiring professional certification for individuals, registration for consulting firms, and accreditation for supporting institutions, the regulation establishes multiple accountability layers throughout the AMDAL preparation ecosystem.
The system's emphasis on practical competency through work quality evaluation, combined with clear grounds for certificate revocation, provides strong incentives for maintaining professional standards. For project proponents, environmental consultants, and supporting institutions alike, understanding these requirements is essential for navigating Indonesia's environmental assessment landscape effectively.
Official Source
This article analyzes Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021 on Implementation of Environmental Protection and Management (PP 22/2021), specifically BAB II Bagian Kelima (Pasal 67-75) on AMDAL Authors.
The official regulation text can be accessed at:
Primary Source:
PP No. 22 Tahun 2021 - BPK Regulation Portal
Alternative Sources:
- JDIH Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan
Official Gazette: Lembaran Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 2021 Nomor 32
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