Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers is currently evaluating the Environmental Crime Directive (Directive 2008/99/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008) on the protection of the environment through criminal law and whether it has achieved its objectives. In the light of the results, it will be decided if some follow-up or revision is required. The Directive requires EU Member States to treat certain activities that damage the environment as criminal offences, for instance trading endangered species, destroying protected habitats, producing, manufacturing or handling nuclear materials or any other radioactive substances, and excessive water, air or soil pollution.
The open public consultation will be open until 2 January. It is published in all EU languages and will end on 2 January. The consultation assesses the results from all Member States for the time the Directive has been applicable, from 2011 to 2018.
For more information, please contact Johanna Engström, Legal Officer, DG Justice and Consumers.