The exploratory soil investigation

The exploratory soil investigation examines whether there are serious indications of soil contamination on a given site. This involves a limited historical examination and limited sample-taking.

The exploratory soil investigation will be conducted:

• On the initiative and at the charge of the transferor, before the transfer of lands at risk. These are sites on which a facility is or was established or where an activity is being or was carried out that is included in the mentioned 'list';
• On the initiative and at the charge of the operator, before the closure of a facility or the cessation of an activity on the 'list';
• On the initiative of the operator before a certain date, and, thereafter, periodically, for some categories of activities or facilities that are included in the 'list'

The OVAM may, at any time, conduct an ex officio exploratory soil investigation.

The need to proceed to the next stage, the descriptive soil investigation, is defined as follows:

• In the event that during the exploratory soil investigation indications of soil pollution are found that originate from before the date of the Soil Remediation Decree (28.10.1995), the so-called 'historical soil contamination', a descriptive soil investigation needs to be conducted if the said contamination indicates a possible serious threat;
In the event that the contamination has originated at a time after the decree, the so-called 'new soil contamination', a descriptive soil investigation needs to be conducted if the soil remediation standards are exceeded.