Review of national contaminated land management frameworks in front of the new EU Soil Monitoring Law era-the case study of Greece.

Abstract

The European Union (EU) currently addresses the issue of contaminated land management through the national frameworks of its member states, as there is no such EU legislation thus far. However, with the introduction of the new EU Soil Strategy and the anticipated Soil Monitoring Law, EU countries are poised to receive a unified legislative tool that is expected to enhance their soil policies significantly. These legislative developments are set to introduce key initiatives such as the establishment of a contaminated site registry and the imposition of restrictions on soil contamination using screening values and soil monitoring practices. Although these advancements are significant, disparities in contaminated soil management practices are likely to remain among countries following the implementation of the new legislation. Presently, Greece's approach to contaminated land management is deemed inadequate, lacking essential policymaking tools, like soil screening values. The primary aim of the study was to compile a database of good practices and lessons learned on contaminated land management as a practical policymaking resource for Greece and other EU member states as well as countries in the pre-accession phase, like the Western Balkans. To achieve this goal, an extensive review of EU and national legislations was conducted, complemented by a questionnaire survey that engaged a diverse group of local and international experts from the EU, the UK, and New Jersey (USA).