Soil Monitoring Law : entry into force of the Directive, first-ever EU piece of legislation on soils

The Directive on soil monitoring and resilience has entered into force on 16/12/2025, 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. Member States now have to transpose it into their national laws and establish their own soil monitoring frameworks.

According to the European Commission, an estimated 60% to 70% of soils are currently classified as unhealthy and "this degradation costs the EU over €50 Bn every year". However, "healthy soils are essential for agricultural productivity, plant's pest resistance, and nutritional food quality and safety. They are critical to ensuring the long-term viability and profitability of the EU's farming sector.

The Soil Monitoring Law aims to preserve soil health across the EU by 2050, which will strengthen the EU’s economic competitiveness and food security. Compared to its initial versions and ambition, the first-ever EU piece of legislation on soils have nevertheless been significantly watered down. Indeed, the Soil Monitoring Law sets no legally binding targets, "neither for 2050 nor for any intermediate steps", said the…