Commission's proposed "green crimes" Directive

The Commission has brought forward a proposal that sets down criminal lawsanctions for breach of environmental legislation – the so-called “green crimes”Directive. Seeking to put an end to the divergence in how activity such as theillegal emission of hazardous substances is penalised throughout Europe, thedraft Directive obliges Member States to treat serious offences against theenvironment as criminal acts. It also specifies the type and levels ofpenalties, both for individuals and companies, that must be set down for certainconduct. For example, Member States must classify intentionally causing deaththrough discharges or emissions of material into the air, soil or water as acriminal act under domestic legislation, and sets down a maximum sentence of atleast five years. Other sanctions available include fines and, for legalpersons, judicial winding-up orders and disqualification from certainactivities. The Council and the European Parliament will examine this proposalin the coming months, both having equal decision-making power.