Glossary

The BBodSchG (Bundes-Bodenschutzgesetz) is the German Federal Soil Protection Act.
It establishes the legal framework for protecting soil functions, preventing harmful soil changes, and remediating contaminated sites.
The Act defines key principles, responsibilities of landowners and authorities, and general obligations for soil protection and remediation across Germany.

The BBodSchV (Bundes-Bodenschutz- und Altlastenverordnung) is the Federal Soil Protection and Contaminated Sites Ordinance, issued under the BBodSchG.
It specifies technical and procedural requirements, including assessment values, investigation methods, and criteria for evaluating soil contamination and risks to human health and the environment. The ordinance provides detailed guidance for the practical implementation of the BBodSchG.

It specifies:

• Trigger, precautionary, and action values (Prüfwerte, Vorsorgewerte, Maßnahmenwerte)

• Investigation and sampling methods

• Risk assessment criteria for human health, groundwater, and ecosystems