In October 2025, the European Parliament has endorsed the first ever law on soil monitoring and resilience that aims to restore the EU’s soil health. This directive is therefore a first concrete action under the EU Soil Strategy for 2030 that has set out measures for the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of soils already in 2021. 

In order to protect human health and the environment, the EU’s soil policy aims in general to improve soils by: 

• Taking measures to protect and restore soils, ensuring that they are used sustainably 

• Developing the knowledge base and supporting soil research 

• Raising awareness about the vital importance of soils. 

These efforts align with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Zero Pollution ambition. Healthy soils are crucial to achieving the EU’s climate neutrality goals and contribute to curbing desertification and soil degradation, and preserving biodiversity and human health. Soil degradation is exacerbated by unsustainable soil management, pollution and overexploitation, compounded by the effects of climate change and extreme weather events. 

The Soil Monitoring Law 

The Soil Monitoring Law (SML), also known as Directive (EU) 2025/2360 on soil monitoring and resilience, has been in force since December 2025. It establishes an EU-wide soil health monitoring system, enhancing the availability and comparability of key soil health data. The aim is to mitigate the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss, promote food security and prepare the soil for natural disasters. 

Through SML, the European Commission foresee to ensure a level playing field and a high level of environmental and health protection. It aims to address key soil threats in the EU: 

• Erosion 

• Loss of soil organic matter, salinisation, contamination, compaction and sealing 

• Loss of soil biodiversity 

For instance, Member States (MS) will establish monitoring systems to assess the physical, chemical and biological status of all soils on their territory, based on a common EU methodology. The MS shall regularly report to the Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA) on the situation regarding soil health, land use and contaminated land, ensuring that comparable data is available across the EU and that coordinated measures can be taken to address soil degradation. 

The collected data will enable landowners to implement the most appropriate treatment methods and will assist them in maintaining and increasing soil fertility and yields, while minimising water and nutrient consumption. 

An indicative watchlist of emerging substances that could pose a significant risk to soil health, human health or the environment, and for which data is needed, will be drawn up 18 months after the law enters into force (May 2027). It shall contain substances such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pesticides or microplastics. 

What measures for landowners and land managers? 

To protect farmers and foresters, the Directive does not impose any new obligations on landowners or land managers. 

Instead, the SML establishes support measures that may include independent advice, training activities, und capacity building, as well as the promotion of research and innovation, and measures to raise awareness of the benefits of sustainable practices, and of soil resilience. MS shall map the available funding opportunities for landowners and managers. Member States will also have to assess regularly the financial cost to farmers and foresters’ of improving soil health and soil resilience. 

Moreover, the monitoring activities fall under the full responsibility of the Member States and their public authorities. 

The Soil Monitoring Law requires no monitoring whatsoever from landowners and managers themselves and therefore also doesn’t require them to carry any of the costs. This is also explicitly clarified in a new Recital (36) that states that soil health monitoring under this Directive should not create any financial burden on landowners and land managers. 

SML includes specific provisions that prevent soil health data collected in accordance with Article 6 to be traced back to specific land parcels. Article 6 clearly states that the soil health data portal will provide access only to data aggregated at the soil unit level (and only a more detailed level if the Member States wishes). 

The Soil Monitoring Law does not include provisions that directly prevent the construction of infrastructure and housing or the permitting of mining or renewable energy projects. In addition, negotiators included a Recital (42) that clearly states that the provisions concerning land take in this Directive “do not impose new permitting procedures and should not prevent permitting of activities, including for projects of overriding public interest”. 

SML’s Application on the Member State Level 

The Commission has given 3 years to the Member States to comply with the Law. They must transpose the Directive’s provisions into their national law by 16 December 2028. The Member States’ first report to the Commission on the implementation and assessment of soil health will be due by 16 December 2031.  

Furthermore, the Directive will require member states to draw up a public list of potentially contaminated sites within 10 years of its entry into force and to address any unacceptable risks to human health and the environment. 

Finally, it is important to recall that due to the legal nature of the Law (Directive) the detailed and specific implementation measures may vary depending on the transposition in the different Member States and consider their national specificities.