Abstract <p>The development of environmental standards for soil quality requires the renunciation of unified approaches implemented in the system of sanitary and hygienic norms. The sanitary and hygienic standards for soil pollution underestimate the natural and economic diversity of soil and land resources in general and in individual ecosystems, in particular. A grouping of factors that should be taken into account in the elaboration of environmental standards for soil quality is suggested. It is implemented in the form of a matrix of ecological norming of soil quality on the basis of the system of soil geographical zoning of the Russian Federation. Soil province is considered the main taxon in this matrix.</p>