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CL:AIRE is a UK charity committed to providing a valuable service for all those involved in sustainable land reuse.
We develop training resources, disseminate information and act as a credible resource for all stakeholders, ensuring we remain at the cutting-edge of best practice and innovation.

 

Improving efficiency & raising standards
Improving efficiency & raising standards
Definition of Waste Code of Practice (DoWCoP), National Quality Mark Scheme for Land Affected by Contamination (NQMS), Asbestos in Soil, SuRF...
Supporting our Members
Supporting our Members
Find out about the benefits of becoming a CL:AIRE Principal or Supporter Member:- Member discounts, Networking, Working Groups, ...
Sharing Knowledge & Developing People
Sharing Knowledge & Developing People
Water and Land Library ( WALL), Continuing Professional development through Training and workshops...
CL:AIRE Membership
CL:AIRE works with its Members to raise awareness and pursue shared objectives in land, water and environmental management by collecting strategic industry information and developing industry initiatives that improve efficiency and save money.
Gas Protection Verification Scheme (GPVS)
The GPVS seeks to raise standards in membrane inspection, verification and reporting and provide confidence that risks associated with ground gases have been adequately managed.
Definition of Waste Code of Practice
The Definition of Waste Code of Practice (DoWCoP) provides a clear, consistent and efficient process which enables the reuse of excavated materials on-site or their movement between sites.

Find out more...Register of materials...
Make a declaration...
NQMS for Land Contamination Management
The National Quality Mark Scheme for Land Contamination Management (NQMS) is developed by the National Brownfield Forum to provide visible identification of documents that have been checked for quality.

Background

The C4SL research project (Phase 1) provided technical guidance to support Defra's revised Statutory Guidance (SG) for Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Part 2A). Part 2A was originally introduced to ensure that the risks from land contamination to human health, property and the environment are managed appropriately, with the revised SG being designed to address concerns regarding its real-world application. The revised SG presents a new four category system for classifying land under Part 2A, ranging from Category 4, where the level of risk posed is acceptably low, to Category 1, where the level of risk is clearly unacceptable.

Phase 1 Project

The Phase 1 project produced, demonstrated and communicated a methodology for developing C4SLs which represents as wide a consensus as possible in the field of land contamination risk assessment. The C4SLs represent a new set of generic screening levels for 6 contaminants which are more pragmatic (but still strongly precautionary) compared to the existing soil guideline values (SGVs) and other similarly derived numbers. The C4SLs consist of cautious estimates of contaminant concentrations in soil that are still considered to present an acceptable level of risk, within the context of Part 2A, by combining information on human health toxicology, exposure assessment and normal ambient levels of contaminants in the environment. Within the Phase 1 Defra publication, it was emphasised that further work to expand C4SLs for other contaminants would need to be led by industry.

Phase 2 Project

The Soil and Groundwater Technology Association (SAGTA) is leading a collaborative industry initiative which started formulating and developing a project framework in 2015.  Funding for this phase has been secured from SAGTA members, with in kind contribution from a number of consultants and a financial grant from the Society of Brownfield Risk Assessment (SOBRA) www.sobra.org.uk. The project officially started in 2018. Phase 2 will develop 19 C4SLs for a range of contaminants which have been selected following a consultative process choosing the contaminants which would be most useful to industry. Subsequent funding has been received from Environment Agency in 2023 to develop the 20th substance for PFAS. 

The full list of contaminants that C4SLs are being derived are as follows and those in green are now available to download (as pdf):

Vinyl Chloride
(Chloroethene)

Cis-1,2-Dichloroethene   Free Cyanide Toluene Vanadium

Trichloroethene 
(TCE)

Trans-1,2-Dichloroethene Complex Cyanide Ethylbenzene Nickel
Tetrachloroethene 
(PCE)
1,2-Dichloroethane
(Ethylene Dichloride)
Inorganic Mercury

Xylenes
(o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene)

Methyl tertiary butyl ether
(MTBE)
Naphthalene 1,1,1-Trichloroethane Beryllium 1,2,3-Trimethylbenzene,
1,2,4- Trimethylbenzene &1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene
PFAS

The project is being delivered by a consortium of partners which include the following:

Project Manager: CL:AIRE supported by Simon Firth (Firth Consultants Ltd) and Naomi Earl (Freelance Consultant)

Tier 1 Toxicologists: Sarah Bull (TARA Consulting); Camilla Alexander-White (MK Tox & Co Ltd) and George Kowalczyk (GK Toxicology Consulting).

Tier 2 Toxicologists: Natasha Glynn (Atkins)Gareth Wills (WSP); Jo Wilding (Independent); Laura Aspinall and Andrew Fellows (RSK); Melinda Evans (Soilfix); Adam Symonds, Duncan Grew & Peter Sheppard (Worley) and Kate Baker (Antea Group UK).

Exposure Modellers: Dave Brooks (Sirius); Gareth Barns (Geosyntec); Robert Reuter (Wardell Armstrong LLP); Catherine Cussell (RSK); Lucy Burn (Advisian) and James Lymer.

Steering Group

The project is being overseen by a Project Steering Group, led by Hannah White on behalf of SAGTA and consists of representatives from the following organisations:

SAGTA, Defra, Welsh Government, UKHSA, Public Health Wales, Foods Standards Agency, Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Homes England, Lancaster City Council, YALPAG, Wiltshire Council, Welsh Contaminated Land group, Mole Valley District Council, SoBRA, NHBC, AGS, EPUK, EIC and HBF.

Programme

The project will endeavour to deliver the C4SLs in a timely manner.  However as this project is relying on a lot of industry goodwill and until we know the exact hurdles that we may face, we will provide updates to industry as to how the project is progressing through the National Brownfield Forum minutes (www.claire.co.uk/brownfieldforum) and CL:AIRE News (https://www.claire.co.uk/home/news).

Soil Guideline Values (SGV) and supporting technical guidance are intended to assist professionals in the assessment of long-term risk to health from human exposure to chemical contamination in soil.

There are different SGVs according to land-use (residential, allotments, commercial) because people use land differently and this effects who and how people may be exposed to soil contamination.

SGV are 'trigger values' for screening-out low risk areas of land contamination. They give an indication of representative average levels of chemicals in soil below which the long-term health risks are likely to be minimal. Exceeding an SGV does not mean that remediation is always necessary, although in many cases some further investigation and evaluation of the risk will be carried out.

SGV should not be used where they are not representative of the site under investigation. They do not assess other types of risk to human health such as fire, suffocation, explosion, or short-term and acute exposures. They also cannot be used to assess risks to controlled waters, property, pets and livestock, or ecological receptors.

SGV are available only for a limited number of chemical substances. However, the framework reports and software provide a starting point for the assessment of a much wider range of chemicals.

Professionals and regulators assessing risks to health from land contamination are not required to use SGV and the supporting technical guidance. Alternative approaches can be used provided that they satisfy the legislative requirements.

Framework Reports

The principles and method used to derive SGV is described in two main framework reports:

Professionals should be familiar with the information in these reports before using SGV in site assessments.

SGV and TOX Reports

The EA published SGV Reports and TOX Reports for a small number of soil contaminants. TOX Reports describe the toxicology of specific chemicals or groups of related chemicals including a summary of expert group evaluations. They also set out the recommended health criteria values (HCV) used in SGV derivation.

SGV Reports discuss the available evidence for the presence of specific chemicals in soil and their fate and transport in soil systems. In addition to the SGV themselves, the SGV Reports contain other useful information to assist risk assessors.

CLEA Software

The EA published the calculations for deriving SGV as described in the framework reports as a spreadsheet for use by professionals in conjunction with the wider guidance. The CLEA software is written using Microsoft Excel and uses VBA macros to support functionality. In addition, a specific spreadsheet has been published to support the assessment of dioxins in soil.

FAQs

The Environment Agency compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions (PDF, 121KB).


SGV Reports and supplementary information for specific chemicals and groups of chemicals are available for download below.

It is recommended that professionals using SGV Reports are familiar with the information in the framework reports (see below). SGV Reports published before 2009 have been withdrawn. They were prepared using previous framework guidance (R&D Publications CLR7 – 10) published in 2002, which have been superseded.

Introduction to Soil Guideline Values

Heavy metals and other inorganic compounds

BTEX

Dioxins

Other organic compounds

Supplementary information for the derivation of SGVs

Heavy metals and other inorganic compounds

BTEX

Dioxins

Other organic compounds

  1. Next GPVS application window opens 1 June 2025

    Next GPVS application window opens 1 June 2025

     April 2025
    The next Gas Protection Verification Accreditation Scheme (GPVS) application window opens 1 June 2025 and closes 31 August 2025. The application window is open to Technician Grade and Specialist...
  2. Contamination and Land Remediation Expo (CLR Expo) 2025

    Contamination and Land Remediation Expo (CLR Expo) 2025

     April 2025
    The Contamination and Land Remediation Expo (CLR Expo) returns for 2025 (16-17 September, NEC, Birmingham) as the premier event for professionals across the geoenvironmental sectors. Whether you're a contractor, environmental...
  3. BSI proposes to revise guidance on investigations for ground gas (BS8576)

    BSI proposes to revise guidance on investigations for ground gas (BS8576)

     April 2025
    The British Standards Institution (BSI) proposes to revise BS8576 - Guidance on investigations for ground gas. Permanent gases and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). A new work item proposal has been...
  4. EAC launches new inquiry to address the risks of PFAS within the UK's regulatory approach

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     April 2025
    The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has launched an inquiry looking at the risks of PFAS within the UK's regulatory approach. EAC requests written submissions by 5.00pm on 26 May 2025.
  5. EU Council reaches agreement on soil monitoring law

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     April 2025
    The European Council has reached a provisional deal with the European Parliament on a directive establishing a framework for soil monitoring to improve resilience and manage the risks of contaminated...
  6. UK and Welsh Governments launch joint consultation to reform environmental permitting regulations

    UK and Welsh Governments launch joint consultation to reform environmental permitting regulations

     April 2025
    The UK and Welsh Governments have launched a joint consultation to reform Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016. The proposals relate to flood risk activities, waste operations, water discharge...
  7. Independent review of Defra's regulatory landscape published

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     April 2025
    The independent review carried out by Dan Corry on behalf of Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), to review environmental regulations has been published. The review has identified major...
  8. Environment Agency publishes guidance on how to get environmental permitting support for major projects

    Environment Agency publishes guidance on how to get environmental permitting support for major projects

     April 2025
    The Environment Agency has published guidance on how to get extra support for projects in England that require a complex range of environmental permits and licences. Further information is
  9. Piling and Penetrative Ground Improvement Methods on Land Affected by Contamination: Guidance on Pollution Prevention

    Piling and Penetrative Ground Improvement Methods on Land Affected by Contamination: Guidance on Pollution Prevention

     March 2025
    In March 2025, CL:AIRE published a new guidance document Piling and Penetrative Ground Improvement Methods on Land Affected by Contamination: Guidance on Pollution Prevention. Download the file here (23MB)
    CL:AIRE rolling out new membership process for new and renewing members

    CL:AIRE rolling out new membership process for new and renewing members

     March 2025
    Over the next few weeks, CL:AIRE will be rolling out a new membership process for new and renewing members. The process will improve how we capture the data about our...
  10. Launch of Earthbanks project

    Launch of Earthbanks project

     March 2025
    CL:AIRE is excited to formally announce the launch of its new research project, Earthbanks, spearheaded by eight of the top academics in soil in the UK. The Earthbanks project aims to...
  11. CL:AIRE publishes DoW CoP 2024 Auditing Summary Report

    CL:AIRE publishes DoW CoP 2024 Auditing Summary Report

     March 2025
    CL:AIRE continues performing the Definition of Waste Code of Practice (DoW CoP) audits following the procedures published on its website (DoW CoP Auditing Procedures). The audit activities...
  12. BSSS launches new soil podcast

    BSSS launches new soil podcast

     March 2025
    The British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) has launched a new podcast, Soil Matters, a platform dedicated to bridging the gap between cutting-edge scientific research and...
  13. CL:AIRE publishes new piling guidance

    CL:AIRE publishes new piling guidance

     March 2025
    CL:AIRE is delighted to announce the publication of a new guidance document Piling and Penetrative Ground Improvement Methods on Land Affected by Contamination: Guidance on Pollution Prevention. This report presents guidance on...
  14. Government publishes policy paper on new approach to ensure regulation support growth

    Government publishes policy paper on new approach to ensure regulation support growth

     March 2025
    HM Treasury has recently published a policy paper titled New approach to ensure regulators and regulation support growth. This action plan sets out the next steps to enable a regulatory...
  15. AGS publishes guidance about managing pressurised gases during drilling

    AGS publishes guidance about managing pressurised gases during drilling

     March 2025
    The Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS) has recently published guidance Managing pressurised gases during drilling. This guidance provided information to aid ground engineering specialists in the risk assessment process.
  16. CL:AIRE publishes TRG Annual Report 2024

    CL:AIRE publishes TRG Annual Report 2024

     February 2025
    CL:AIRE has now published the 2024 Technology and Research Group (TRG) Annual Report and it is available to download.
  17. New CL:AIRE TRG member

    New CL:AIRE TRG member

     February 2025
    CL:AIRE is delighted to announce that its Technology and Research Group (TRG) has a new member - Brian Reid, Professor of Soil Science at the University of East Anglia.
  18. EiCLaR project produces range of outputs on completion

    EiCLaR project produces range of outputs on completion

     February 2025
    EiCLaR (Enhanced and Innovative In Situ Biotechnologies for Contaminated Land Remediation) was a project funded by the EU and China. It ran from January 2021 until the end of 2024...
  19. Joint advice note published by Regulators on expectations for successful land quality management at nuclear licensed sites

    Joint advice note published by Regulators on expectations for successful land quality management at nuclear licensed sites

     February 2025
    A joint advice note has been published for the nuclear sector titled Regulatory expectations for successful land quality management at nuclear licensed sites. It was issued...
  20. UK Government delays mandatory digital waste tracking

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     February 2025
    The UK Government has announced the delay of digital waste tracking becoming mandatory in April 2025. It will now be introduced from April 2026. Read the updated policy paper