Action Area 2

The strengthening of soil governance in Europe requires cooperation between many stakeholders and the implementation of coherent policies.

Policies

• National Soil Laws (EU + non-EU) see Soil Wiki (EU Login required)
• Governance of UN bodies (incl. FAO). The SoilEX database managed by the FAO provides an overview of soil legislation existing around the world
• EU Soil Monitoring Law (Directive on Soil Monitoring and Resilience):
  • The proposal for the EU Soil Monitoring law was submitted on July 5, 2023. On April 10 a provisional deal between the Council and European Parliament was reached. The European Council adopted the Soil Monitoring Directive on September 29 and the European Parliament followed on 23 October 2025. The Soil Monitoring Law entered into force on 16 December 2025. Member states now have 3 years to transpose the SML into national law.
    • Update European Parliament 2025: adopted version
    • Update European Council June 2024
    • Directive Proposal July 2023

Cooperation

• Citizens (Soil Alliances exist in Germany, Italy, Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary - see more on ELSA website)
• Soil Science Societies (list of members on ECSSS website)
• National and EU research programmes / projects
• EU Soil Strategy 2030
• Networks (e.g., Common Forum, Nicole)
• European Soil Oberservatory (Stakeholders forum)
• Stakeholders (a dedicated webpage for stakeholders is in preparation)

Further links

• Policy navigator by NBSoil project (synergies between different environmental EU policies and soil protection)
• Soil policy briefs
• Activities of the European Soil Partnership
• Activities of the Subregional Soil Partnerships