Commission's proposed "green crimes" Directive01/05/07 / cata_european-union-news

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