The Council today formally adopted a directive on the protection of the environment through criminal law. The law will improve the investigation and prosecution of environmental crime. The directive sets minimum rules for the whole of the EU on the definition of criminal offences and sanctions. It replaces a previous law from 2008.

The law will only apply to crimes committed within the EU. However, member states can decide to extend their jurisdiction to crimes committed outside their territory. (More on consilium.europa.eu)