This Ordinance establishes detailed requirements for the protection of soil in Germany, focusing on the prevention, assessment and remediation of harmful soil alterations and contaminated sites (Altlasten). It regulates precautionary measures against soil contamination, including limit values for pollutants and permissible additional loads, and sets conditions for the application or incorporation of materials into soil. The regulation further addresses the prevention of soil erosion, and defines comprehensive procedures for investigation, evaluation and remediation of contaminated soils and sites, including risk assessment based on exposure pathways. The Ordinance also lays down technical rules for soil sampling, analysis, and monitoring, including specific methodologies and threshold values for pollutants, as well as requirements for planning and implementing remediation measures. It establishes obligations for operators to document, assess, and manage contamination risks, and provides for administrative enforcement, including offences and sanctions. Additional provisions cover expert advisory bodies, technical standards, and transitional arrangements.
Germany · 1999-07-12