Summary
Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Council, supports the review of the Environmental Crime Directive (ECD). They highlight the existing disparities in sanctions among EU Member States and advocate for a more effective deterrent system. Cefic suggests that penalties should be proportionate to the nature and intent of the offence, differentiating between deliberate violations and inadvertent non-compliance. They argue for a balanced approach, and effective regulatory outcomes. Essential to this is the need for adequate resources, specialised bodies, and better data collection to enhance enforcement.
Concrete Takeaways:
- Sanction types and levels should be reviewed based on the nature, intent, and frequency of offences to encourage good business conduct and restorative practices.
- Effective enforcement of the ECD across Member States is critical for its success.
- The revised Directive should include sufficient resources, specialised bodies on environmental crime, and improved data collection mechanisms.