European Commission: publication of Soil Monitoring Law (OJEU)

The European Union has adopted the Directive 2025/2360, also known as Soil Monitoring Law, the first European directive devoted to soil health and resilience. The directive was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 26/11/2025.

The Soil Monitoring Law aims to preserve soil health across the EU by 2050. It officially recognises soil health as being central to agricultural production, biodiversity, and the fight against climate change.

It imposes a harmonised European soil monitoring framework, with data shared between Member States. Each Member State must monitor the physical, chemical and biological evolution of its soils using the same methodology and measurable indicators such as soil descriptors, soil sealing and soil removal indicators in order to identify contaminated sites. Soil polluted by emerging substances, such as PFAS, microplastics and nanoplastics, will have to be listed in publicly accessible registers. Member States will be required to take action to remediate contaminated soil.

The text also aims to limit the artificialisation of soil. Member…