On Tuesday, 27 February, the European Parliament overwhelmingly approved an updated EU directive on combating environmental crime.
According to the EP's website, the document provides for the expansion of the list of environmental crimes and stricter penalties for them.
Serious environmental violations include, among others, illegal trafficking in timber obtained through illegal logging, illegal disposal of environmentally harmful machine parts, and violations of the rules for the use and disposal of environmentally harmful chemicals.
The new directive will come into force after its publication in the EU's Official Journal. Member states have two years to transpose it into national law.
"It is time to tackle cross-border crime at the EU level with coherent and dissuasive sanctions to prevent new environmental crimes," said Antonius Manders, MEP from the Netherlands.
He noted that under the new legislation, persons holding senior positions in a company responsible for environmental pollution can be held liable on a par with the company itself.
Environmental crimes committed by individuals and company representatives will be punishable by up to eight years' imprisonment, depending on how long-lasting, serious or reversible the damage is.
Individuals in all EU countries will face up to 10 years' imprisonment for intentional environmental crimes that result in the death of people.
For companies, serious environmental crimes will be punishable by a fine of up to 5% of their global annual turnover or a payment of up to EUR 40 million.
Background. As reported, the amount of environmental damage caused by Russia's war against Ukraine reached UAH 2 trillion. Almost 3 million hectares of forest were damaged, which is a third of Ukraine's forested areas.