Over 60% of European soils are estimated to be unhealthy, and scientific evidence indicates that soils are further degrading due to unsustainable land management, sealing, contamination, and overexploitation, combined with the impact of climate change and extreme weather events. In October 2025, the EU parliament adopted the Soil Monitoring Law with the main objective of achieving healthy European soils by 2050 and maintaining them in optimal condition thereafter. The law emphasizes the importance of soil health for food security, water quality, and climate goals.
The new law will ensure consistent soil monitoring throughout the EU and provide farmers with better support to improve soil health and resilience. A public list of potentially contaminated soils will be created across all EU countries, and simplified procedures for Member States will be implemented without adding new obligations for farmers or foresters. Support measures such as independent advice, training activities, capacity building, and promotion of research and innovation will be included. Member states are required to assess the financial costs to farmers and foresters of improving soil health. An indicative watch list of emerging substances that could pose a significant risk to soil health will be drawn up 18 months after the law enters into force.
The Soil Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology group at RECETOX has made significant contributions to research on soil quality and contamination in recent years by participating in European projects. In May 2025, the PAPILLONS project (Horizon 2020) finished, which maintained close contact with co-legislators to support their efforts to include microplastics and nanoplastics in the monitoring of soil contaminants. These substances constitute a growing risk to soil health and fertility, potentially impairing crop development and compromising the EU’s agricultural productivity over time. PAPILLONS aimed to study the sources, behavior, and ecological effects of micro- and nanoplastics in agricultural soils.
The group is also currently working on other projects: EU H2020 project SPRINT, and EU Horizon Soil Mission projects BENCHMARKS and SOILPROM. SPRINT focuses on assessing the impacts of Plant Protection Products (PPPs) on the environment and human health. BENCHMARKS is developing a transparent and harmonized soil health monitoring framework. SOILPROM models pollutant transport and assesses impacts on ecosystem services. Further, the group contributes to the OP JAK project GEORISKS, focusing on natural and anthropogenic risks of contamination.
Learn more: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20251017IPR31009/soil-monitoring-parliament-adopts-new-eu-law-with-better-support-for-farmers
