A review of the new German Soil Protection Act, entering into force in March 1999; the introduction of standard requirements applying throughout the Federal Republic of Germany; the aim of the Act is to secure and recreate soil functions by way of defining residual pollution and the persons responsible for cleaning up and rehabilitation, as well as laying down precautionary measures; the scope of the Act covers inter alia disused sites and unsealing of land. It also provides for threshold values and requirements; the role of public authorities; residual pollution management; the role of experts and investigation agencies; compensation for increases in land values due to cleaning up of contamination; conclusion that the Act was necessary to create uniform law but will have to prove its effectiveness.
European Energy and Environmental Law Review