New rules make it possible to take tougher action against environmental crime

New regulations enhance the ability of the Public Prosecution Service and environmental enforcement agencies to combat environmental crime in the Netherlands. Penalties for environmental violations will increase, and more actions will be criminalized. Companies causing severe pollution will find it harder to evade prosecution. The changes stem from a European directive that EU member states must implement. The Public Prosecution Service aims to impose higher fines, potentially up to 40 million euros, and focus more on prosecuting company executives. The new rules also allow for prosecution based on environmental harm alone, reflecting a growing seriousness towards environmental crime.