This document provides requirements and guidance on key aspects of remediation techniques. It describes the principles, main characteristics, advantages and limitations to be considered in the selection within an option appraisal of individual or combinations of in situ and on-site remediation techniques, including:

—     the type of contaminants to be dealt with;

—     current and/or intended site use;

—     local legal, policy, socio-economic and environmental contexts.

This document is applicable to the remediation of contaminated sites, i.e. where soil, or soil gas, ambient air or groundwater are contaminated. It identifies which phase/matrix can be targeted by a technique, e.g. fluid (groundwater, gas, non-aqueous phase liquid) or solid, and which contaminant it can applied to. This document also provides information on hazards that can be associated with the implementation of remediation.

This document does not provide:

—     an exhaustive list of remediation techniques;

—     guidance on sites contaminated with radioactive substances, pathogenic or infectious agents, or “pyrotechnic devices” (e.g. unexploded ordnances);

—     guidance on ex situ techniques that are set up off-site;

—     a framework that covers all individual situations, or prescribes which technique(s) to use in a specific context.