In 2021, the EU Commission launched its EU Soil Strategy for 2030, aiming to achieve healthy soils by 2050. The strategy sets the ground and objectives for soil monitoring, protection, restoration and sustainable use of soils. 

Later on, in July 2023, as part of the Soil Strategy, the EU Commission proposed the ‘Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive’, also referred to as the Soil Monitoring Law (SML). The law would establish the first EU-wide framework for monitoring soil health and taking steps to restore soil health. 

On 10 April 2025, the EU Council, the EU Parliament and the Commission reached a provisional deal on the SML. The compromise text aims at soil monitoring, improving soil resilience, supporting land managers, managing risk of contaminated sites and sets out mitigation principles for soil sealing and soil removal. 

The compromise text followed almost two years of negotiations within and among the EU Parliament and Council. Many stakeholders, including scientists, the water sector, and civil society, have expressed that the text falls short, such as the lack of clear targets, limitations in the monitoring framework, and robust provisions on soil management.

Despite shortcomings, the SML is widely welcomed and supported as an essential, long-overdue, first EU-wide legislative framework on soils. It will foster cooperation, better monitoring, independent research, capacity building, and improved services for land managers.

The Council officially endorsed the provisional agreement on 29 September 2025, and by the ENVI committee of the European Parliament on 20 October 2025. The vote in the EU Parliament is expected to take place on Thursday, 23 October 2025. 

141 (so far) scientists and soil experts have joined forces through a joint statement supporting the Directive. They underline the importance of healthy soils, which host a wealth of life, and are essential for ecosystems, citizens, and societal well-being.

Read the full statement: Scientists and Soil Experts urge to support the First EU legislative Framework on Soil.pdf