Directive reference – Arts 6, 9; Annex II
The monitoring framework is the Member State system of sampling, measurement, assessment and reporting for soil health (Art 6). The soil health data portal is the digital portal where Member States publish soil health data, due by 17 December 2027 (Art 6). A sampling point is a location where soil is sampled, selected by stratified random sampling over soil units (Art 9; Annex II A).
Stratified random sampling means random selection within each soil unit, with a maximum error of 5% (Annex II A, verify). A composite sample mixes at least five subsamples taken to at least 30 cm depth, and subsoil sampling below 30 cm is required for bulk density (Annex II A, verify).
The first measurements are due by 17 December 2030 and are repeated at least every six years (Art 9). A biodiversity subset of at least 5% of sampling points must also be sampled for soil biodiversity, and a soil archive keeps preserved samples for future re-analysis (Art 9).