Environmental Criminal Law

Environmental criminal law includes all criminal law regulations serving to protect the environment, with Sections 324 et seq. German Criminal Code (StGB) being of primary importance. It particularly covers the areas of water protection, soil protection, protection of nature, emission protection, radiation protection and protection against improper handling.

There are numerous regulations, both in the core area of criminal law and in supplementary criminal regulations outside of the Criminal Code, which sanction any water, soil and air pollution. Plant operators are governed by a multitude of regulations and in case of any violations relating to the handling of hazardous waste or the operation of plants without permits have to expect sanctions provided for in regulatory offences law or in criminal offences law. Also, profit skimming measures may also be taken.