16 December 2025
Today marks a new chapter for Europe’s soils. Healthy soils are easy to overlook — until they are gone. They grow our food, store carbon, filter water and support biodiversity. When soils are healthy, ecosystems thrive and societies are more resilient. Yet the evidence is clear. According to the EU Soil Observatory, 62% of all soils and 89% of agricultural soils in Europe show signs of critical loss of their functions.
Today, 16 December, the EU Soil Monitoring Law enters into force, establishing a common framework to monitor and assess soil health across Europe. Better and more comparable soil data is a crucial step towards protecting ecosystems, supporting food security and strengthening climate resilience.
The European Environment Agency will contribute by:
• supporting data reporting
• providing Copernicus land indicators
• supporting countries in using remote sensing for soil monitoring
• advising Member States on contaminated sites registers
• strengthening synergies with other EU policies
All time-related provisions for implementation and reporting start counting from today, including the three-year period for transposing the Soil Monitoring Law into national legislation. Healthy soils matter. Robust knowledge and effective monitoring are the foundation for protecting them — for nature, for people and for future generations.
