New catalog of fines in NRW: These are the penalties for environmental offenders

On 18.5.2022, the Ministry of the Environment of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) published a new catalog of fines. Polluters can expect significantly higher fines.

250 pages, more than 1,280 recommendations for assessing warnings and fines for environmental pollution: These are the key data of a new catalog of fines published by the NRW Ministry of the Environment in May 2022. This is intended to support the authorities "in the prosecution of environmental offenses and ensure the uniform application of standard fines throughout the state", according to the ministry's official press release.

Which core areas are affected?

The document specifies the amount of warnings and fines for administrative offenses in the area of the environment. Increases and reductions are possible, depending on the individual case, according to the Ministry of the Environment. The catalog covers a total of twelve environmentally relevant subject areas. From nature, water and soil protection, pollution control and waste management to forestry, hunting and fishing protection.

Violations can be so expensive

In future, citizens will have to expect particularly high fines. For example, anyone who throws away household waste (e.g. coffee cups, paper plates, food scraps) without permission will pay at least 100 euros according to the new catalog of fines. Unauthorized camping or tenting in the countryside costs between 50 and 2,500 euros, depending on the size of the camping site. Even supposedly minor offenses will be expensive in future. Anyone who throws a drinking bottle, a cigarette butt or other small items of waste into a body of water will be fined up to 2,000 euros.

Focus on forest protection

The German Weather Service regularly reports an increased risk of forest fires in North Rhine-Westphalia, especially in the summer months. For this reason, the new catalog of fines takes particular account of the protection of existing forests - violations will now cost significantly more. For example, lighting a fire in the forest will be punished with a fine of up to 5,000 euros, instead of the previous fine of up to 1,020 euros. A fine of 150 euros (previously 80 euros) is recommended for smoking in the forest from March to October. Illegal waste disposal in the forest is a particular burden on the wallet. Fines of up to 25,000 euros are due - but at least 500 euros per cubic meter.

When do the new regulations apply?

The new catalog of fines has been in force since May 18, 2022 and is valid indefinitely. The fining authorities can implement all the recommendations in the document directly.

For more information: The entire catalog of warnings and fines in full text.