Compliance Radar

Who was sanctioned, and for what?

Fines, court rulings and incidents from Europe and North America: 756 cases from 32 jurisdictions, each with an official source and checked against that source before publication. Filter by country, area of law and sector. Click a chart to drill down one level.

40cases from 8 jurisdictions
€4.31bnTotal of monetary amounts (33 cases with an amount)
€1.53bnLargest single case: Cummins Inc.
€839,630Median per case with an amount

Click a bar to drill down one level.

When?

per quarter, by date of decision
Trend
PeriodCasesTotal
Q3 20231€17.9m
Q4 20230—
Q1 20243€1.53bn
Q2 20241—
Q3 20243€11.9m
Q4 20243€16.3m
Q1 20253€2.49bn
Q2 20252€285,610
Q3 20255€2.73m
Q4 20256€302,903
Q1 20265€2.32m
Q2 20263€231.2m
Q3 20265€6.51m

40 cases

22 Sep 2026 Southern WaterSouthern Water: 2.4 million GBP fine for sewage and diesel pollution in Kent United KingdomEmissions and permits €2.9m

Between 2019 and 2021, untreated sewage, sewage residues, diesel from a generator and waste entered a stream and the sea around Faversham and Whitstable; the circumstances of one incident were not reported to the Environment Agency, around 70 fish died, and bathing warnings were in place at beaches in Tankerton and Herne Bay for almost a week. The court imposed a fine of 2,416,666.67 GBP, 69,894.04 GBP in costs and a 190 GBP victim surcharge; it was the company's second conviction that year (announcement of 22 September 2026, exact date of judgment not stated).

What organisations can take from it

Repeated pollution and failure to report incidents lead to a series of prosecutions with rising fines.

Relevance to training and awareness

Reporting environmental incidents to the regulator

Authority / court
Bromley Magistrates' Court (Anklage: Environment Agency)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
Legal basis
Regulations 12(1)(b) und 38(1)(a) Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Energy and utilities
Repeat case
yes
Published
22 Sep 2026

Original amount 2,486,750.71 GBP, converted at the ECB reference rate of 22 Sep 2026.

Sources

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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10 Sep 2026 Algoma Steel Inc.Algoma Steel: 1.2 million CAD fine for gear oil in the St. Marys River Canada, ONWaste and hazardous substances €747,710

In June 2022, a gear oil tank overflowed at the steelworks in Sault Ste. Marie; an estimated 1,000 to 1,250 litres of oil entered the St. Marys River, harmful to fish and migratory birds. The company pleaded guilty to two counts and is paying 1.2 million CAD into the Environmental Damages Fund; its name is listed in the Environmental Offenders Registry.

What organisations can take from it

Even small tank overflows near watercourses lead to fines in the millions – overfill protection and containment systems are mandatory.

Relevance to training and awareness

Filling and monitoring oil tanks

Authority / court
Ontario Court of Justice, Sault Ste. Marie (Ermittlungen: Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Waste and hazardous substances
Legal basis
Fisheries Act, Subsection 36(3); Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, Subsection 5.1(1)
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Steel and metals
Mitigating circumstances
Guilty plea.
Published
11 Sep 2026

Original amount 1,200,000 CAD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 10 Sep 2026.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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8 Sep 2026 United Utilities Water LimitedUnited Utilities: record fine of 900,000 GBP after sewage flood on the Fylde coast United KingdomEmissions and permits €1.12m

Following a partial pipe collapse at the Fleetwood wastewater treatment works, untreated sewage flowed from three pumping stations into the Irish Sea for over 35 hours in June 2023; seven bathing waters were affected and shellfish beds were closed. The water company pleaded guilty to five offences and must pay a fine of 900,000 GBP, 62,225 GBP in costs and a 2,000 GBP victim surcharge.

What organisations can take from it

The condition and redundancy of critical wastewater infrastructure are a permit obligation; the Environment Agency assessed the failure as reckless and in the highest harm category.

Authority / court
Preston Magistrates' Court (Anklage: Environment Agency)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
Legal basis
Regulation 38(2) Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Energy and utilities
Culpability
negligent
Mitigating circumstances
Around 38 million GBP invested in response and repair, and a voluntary payment of 250,000 GBP to Blackpool Council.
Published
8 Sep 2026

Original amount 964,225 GBP, converted at the ECB reference rate of 8 Sep 2026.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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3 Sep 2026 BDW Trading (Barratt Redrow)Barratt Redrow subsidiary BDW pays 201,500 GBP to environmental projects after silt entered brooks United KingdomEmissions and permits €234,153

At the Ladden Garden Village construction site in Yate, a subcontractor washed silt from the site drainage into two brooks over six days in July 2022. The Environment Agency accepted an Enforcement Undertaking: BDW is paying 201,500 GBP to three environmental and charitable projects, bears the investigation costs and had already invested over 180,000 GBP in remediation, training and improved surface water management.

What organisations can take from it

Developers are liable for environmental damage caused by their subcontractors; clear procedures and training on handling surface water prevent costly proceedings.

Relevance to training and awareness

Protecting watercourses on construction sites and managing subcontractors

Missing or inadequate training played a role in the decision.

Authority / court
Environment Agency
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
Legal basis
Environmental Civil Sanctions (England) Order 2010 (Enforcement Undertaking)
Action
Other
Status of proceedings
final
Sector
Construction and real estate
Mitigating circumstances
Acceptance of responsibility, remediation, training of employees and application for a discharge permit.
Published
3 Sep 2026

Original amount 201,500 GBP, converted at the ECB reference rate of 3 Sep 2026.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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28 Aug 2026 MSC Shipmanagement Limited; Hong Kong Spirit Shipping and Trading LimitedMSC Shipmanagement: 1.75 million USD fine for secretly discharging oily bilge water USAWaste and hazardous substances €1.5m

On board the MSC Samira III, senior engineering officers had oily bilge water pumped overboard via the sewage tank, bypassing the oily water separator, in 2024/2025, manipulated the oil content monitoring and falsified the oil record book, which was presented to the Coast Guard in Philadelphia. The operator and the owner each pleaded guilty to two counts under the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) and are paying a combined 1.75 million USD; in addition, there are four years of probation.

What organisations can take from it

Shipping companies must actively monitor practice on board and the oil record book, because instructions given by individual officers are attributed to the company under criminal law.

Relevance to training and awareness

MARPOL obligations on board, oil record book and reporting channels for crews

Authority / court
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Anklage: DOJ Environment and Natural Resources Division)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Waste and hazardous substances
Legal basis
Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), 33 U.S.C. § 1908
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Transport, logistics and shipping
Employees
10,000 or more
Culpability
intentional
Liability of senior managers
Second Engineer Mikhail Tsurikov also pleaded guilty; sentencing scheduled for 10 September 2026.
Published
28 Aug 2026

Original amount 1,750,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 28 Aug 2026.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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18 May 2026 Volvo Group North America, LLCVolvo Group North America: settlement of around 197 million USD over undisclosed emission control devices USA, CAEmissions and permits €168.7m

Around 10,000 heavy-duty Volvo diesel engines from model years 2010 to 2016 used auxiliary emission control devices (AECDs) that were not disclosed during certification and emitted more NOx than permitted. The settlement with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) comprises 17.5 million USD in penalties and costs, 71 million USD for mitigation measures and 108 million USD for emission reduction projects in California.

What organisations can take from it

Every emissions-relevant control function must be fully disclosed in the certification application; otherwise high settlement payments may follow years later.

Authority / court
California Air Resources Board (CARB)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
Legal basis
Kalifornische Emissions- und Zertifizierungsvorschriften für schwere Nutzfahrzeugmotoren
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
final
Sector
Automotive
Employees
10,000 or more
Mitigating circumstances
Cooperation during the investigation; recall and extended warranty for engines from model years 2014 to 2016.
Published
18 May 2026

Original amount 196,500,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 18 May 2026.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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15 May 2026 ArcelorMittal Exploitation Minière Canada s.e.n.c.ArcelorMittal mining subsidiary in Québec: 100 million CAD fine for acidic mine effluent Canada, QCWaste and hazardous substances €62.5m

From May 2014 to May 2022, acidic effluent, effluent with elevated zinc, nickel or suspended solids content, and effluent that was acutely lethal to fish entered fish-bearing waters from the Mont-Wright mining complex and the Fire Lake mine in the Fermont region. The company pleaded guilty to 100 counts; the fine of 100 million CAD goes almost entirely to the Environmental Damages Fund, and an action plan on wastewater management must also be submitted by mid-February 2027.

What organisations can take from it

Long-standing exceedances of limit values add up to hundreds of individual offences; effluent monitoring must lead to immediate corrective action.

Authority / court
Court of Québec (Ermittlungen: Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Waste and hazardous substances
Legal basis
Fisheries Act, Subsection 36(3)
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Steel and metals
Published
15 May 2026

Original amount 100,000,000 CAD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 15 May 2026.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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8 May 2026 Transport Desgagnés Inc.Transport Desgagnés: 40,000 CAD because a tanker entered an Arctic protected area without a permit Canada, NUEnvironment and sustainability €24,902

The tanker M/T Sarah Desgagnés, operated by the company, entered the Akpait National Wildlife Area in Nunavut on 29 September and 6 October 2024 without the required access permit. The Nunavut Court of Justice imposed 40,000 CAD for the Environmental Damages Fund; the company must publish a notice in a local newspaper and is listed in the Environmental Offenders Registry.

What organisations can take from it

Protected area boundaries belong in every vessel's voyage planning; missing access permits are prosecuted even in remote areas.

Relevance to training and awareness

Protected areas in voyage planning and bridge practice

Authority / court
Nunavut Court of Justice (Ermittlungen: Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability
Legal basis
Wildlife Area Regulations (Canada Wildlife Act), Paragraph 3.3(1)(h)
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Transport, logistics and shipping
Published
8 May 2026

Original amount 40,000 CAD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 8 May 2026.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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24 Mar 2026 3R Technology UK Ltd3R Technology UK: penalty for exporting contaminated plastic waste despite prohibition United KingdomWaste and hazardous substances €164,216

From 2022 to 2025, the company exported containers of supposedly clean plastic that was in fact contaminated with electronic waste such as cables and circuit boards; in some cases, the waste was hidden at the back of the container, and further containers were shipped despite prohibition notices from August 2024. The company and its director pleaded guilty to 16 counts: a fine of 80,000 GBP, 45,000 GBP in costs and a 2,000 GBP surcharge for the company; 120 hours of community service, 15,000 GBP in costs and a 114 GBP surcharge for the director.

What organisations can take from it

Incorrectly declared waste exports are detected during port inspections; those who ignore regulatory prohibitions also risk the personal conviction of management.

Relevance to training and awareness

Correct classification and declaration of waste for export

Authority / court
Preston Magistrates' Court (Anklage: Environment Agency)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Waste and hazardous substances
Legal basis
Vorschriften zur grenzüberschreitenden Abfallverbringung (Notifizierung und Zustimmung); Verstoß gegen Untersagungsverfügungen
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Other
Culpability
intentional
Repeat case
yes
Mitigating circumstances
Guilty plea.
Liability of senior managers
Director Yulin Wang personally sentenced to 120 hours of community service, 15,000 GBP in costs and a 114 GBP surcharge.
Published
2 Apr 2026

Original amount 142,114 GBP, converted at the ECB reference rate of 24 Mar 2026.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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23 Feb 2026 Yorkshire Water Services LimitedYorkshire Water: 733,333 GBP fine for repeated sewage discharges into park brook United KingdomEmissions and permits €839,630

Between October 2018 and August 2019, untreated sewage entered a brook in Pools Brook Country Park on three occasions – due to a burst rising main, a blockage caused by wet wipes and a failing pipe coupling; during the first incident, fish died in the park lake. Yorkshire Water had already pleaded guilty in January 2024 and had not attended any of the interviews; the court imposed a fine of 733,333 GBP plus costs.

What organisations can take from it

After a first incident, the cause at the site must be remedied permanently; repeated discharges from the same pipe lead to high fines.

Authority / court
Derby Crown Court (Anklage: Environment Agency)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
Legal basis
Regulations 12(1)(b) und 38(1)(a) Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Energy and utilities
Culpability
negligent
Repeat case
yes
Published
23 Feb 2026

Original amount 733,333 GBP, converted at the ECB reference rate of 23 Feb 2026.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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13 Feb 2026 B GmbH (in der Entscheidung anonymisiert)LVwG Lower Austria: penalty for exceeding permitted waste volumes reduced AustriaWaste and hazardous substances €6,000

A treatment facility for non-hazardous waste was permitted for a maximum of 150,000 t of annual deliveries and 60,000 t of storage, but accepted around 188,000 t and 224,000 t in 2021 and 2022 respectively and at times stored 173,000 t. The Lower Austria Regional Administrative Court (Landesverwaltungsgericht Niederösterreich, LVwG) upheld the penalty imposed on the responsible officer for modifying the facility without a permit but reduced the fine from 8,400 to 6,000 EUR (LVwG-S-1039/004-2024).

What organisations can take from it

Permitted throughput and storage volumes are binding; those who accept more are modifying the facility in a way that requires a permit and are personally liable as the responsible officer.

Relevance to training and awareness

Monitoring permitted volumes and capacities in plant operation

Authority / court
Landesverwaltungsgericht Niederösterreich (Straferkenntnis der Bezirkshauptmannschaft Baden)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Waste and hazardous substances
Legal basis
§ 79 Abs. 1 Z 9 i. V. m. § 37 Abs. 3 Z 5 AWG 2002; § 9 Abs. 2 VStG i. V. m. § 26 Abs. 6 AWG 2002
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
reduced
Sector
Other
Repeat case
yes
Mitigating circumstances
Disproportionately long proceedings (§ 34 (2) StGB, Austrian Criminal Code) as the only mitigating factor; the officer's relevant previous convictions were an aggravating factor.
Liability of senior managers
The penalty was imposed on the company's responsible officer appointed under § 9 (2) VStG.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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13 Jan 2026 Estee Lauder Cosmetics Ltd.Estee Lauder Cosmetics: 750,000 CAD fine for unreported PFAS in eyeliners Canada, ONWaste and hazardous substances €463,765

A routine inspection in 2023 found that the company was selling eyeliners containing the PFAS substance perfluorononyl dimethicone without submitting the required notification of a ‘significant new activity’; a subsequent compliance order was not complied with. The court imposed 750,000 CAD; the company must inform its shareholders and is listed in the Environmental Offenders Registry.

What organisations can take from it

Product development and regulatory affairs must check new substances for notification requirements before market launch; regulatory orders must be implemented within the deadline.

Relevance to training and awareness

Chemical notification and approval obligations for product launches

Authority / court
Ontario Court of Justice (Ermittlungen: Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Waste and hazardous substances
Legal basis
Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (Significant New Activity, Compliance Order)
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Chemicals and pharmaceuticals
Published
2 Feb 2026

Original amount 750,000 CAD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 13 Jan 2026.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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7 Jan 2026 Superior General Partner Inc.Superior General Partner: 1.35 million CAD fine for sodium chlorite in river and late reporting Canada, QCWaste and hazardous substances €845,987

In 2019, as a result of an equipment defect, sodium chlorite entered the Rivière du Lièvre twelve times from the ERCO Mondial chemical plant in Gatineau; in the last incident, the authorities were only informed after five days. The company was fined 1.35 million CAD, and the then technical and environmental director 15,000 CAD.

What organisations can take from it

Reporting obligations for releases of substances apply immediately; those who wait for days incur additional liability – including personally as the person responsible.

Relevance to training and awareness

Immediate reporting of environmental incidents to the authorities

Authority / court
Court of Québec (Ermittlungen: Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Waste and hazardous substances
Legal basis
Fisheries Act (Einbringen schädlicher Stoffe; unterlassene sofortige Meldung)
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Chemicals and pharmaceuticals
Liability of senior managers
Jean-François Roux, the plant's then technical and environmental director, was personally fined 15,000 CAD.
Published
8 Jan 2026

Original amount 1,365,000 CAD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 7 Jan 2026.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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17 Dec 2025 Beausite Métal inc.Beausite Métal: 40,000 CAD because PCB equipment was not disposed of despite an order Canada, QCWaste and hazardous substances €24,745

The metal recycler in Val-des-Sources had received an environmental protection compliance order to dispose of and destroy PCB-contaminated equipment. At a follow-up inspection in May 2024, the equipment was still on the site; the company pleaded guilty under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) and was fined 40,000 CAD.

What organisations can take from it

Regulatory orders need an owner and a date in the calendar – non-compliance is a separate offence.

Authority / court
Court of Québec (Anklage: Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Waste and hazardous substances
Legal basis
Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
final
Sector
Steel and metals
Published
18 Dec 2025

Original amount 40,000 CAD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 17 Dec 2025.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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16 Dec 2025 A AG / V-Konzern (in der amtlichen Mitteilung anonymisiert)BGH: fraud convictions of former managers in diesel scandal final GermanyEmissions and permits Custodial sentence

The Munich II Regional Court (Landgericht München II) had sentenced a head of department in diesel engine development and a former head of powertrain development for fraud in 94,924 cases to one year and nine months and two years respectively, and the former CEO of A AG for fraud in 17,177 cases to one year and nine months, in each case suspended on probation. They were responsible for unlawful defeat devices or failed to intervene despite having knowledge of them; the loss to buyers amounted to around 2.32 billion EUR. Germany's Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof, BGH) dismissed the appeals on points of law (1 StR 270/24).

What organisations can take from it

Board members who learn of defeat devices and do not act commit a criminal offence themselves – indications of rule violations must immediately lead to investigation and information for customers.

Relevance to training and awareness

Dealing with non-compliant instructions in development and the duty to intervene

Authority / court
Bundesgerichtshof (1. Strafsenat); Vorinstanz Landgericht München II (Urteil vom 27.06.2023)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
Legal basis
§ 263 StGB (Betrug); unzulässige Abschalteinrichtungen nach US- und EU-Zulassungsrecht
Action
Custodial sentence
Status of proceedings
final
Sector
Automotive
Culpability
intentional
Mitigating circumstances
Prison sentences suspended on probation in each case.
Liability of senior managers
Those convicted were a head of department (P.), a former head of powertrain development and later board member (H.), and the former CEO of A AG (S.), who took no action despite the serious possibility of further defeat devices.
Published
19 Dec 2025

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11 Nov 2025 Devro (Scotland) LimitedDevro (Scotland): 48,000 GBP fine for discharging industrial wastewater into burn United KingdomEmissions and permits €58,610

In July 2021, a blockage in the foul sewer at the Moodiesburn plant (collagen casings for sausages) caused untreated industrial wastewater to back up into the surface water system, polluting the Bothlin Burn with ammonia and organic load. The company pleaded guilty on 11 November 2025; on 24 March 2026, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) reported a fine of 48,000 GBP plus a 3,600 GBP victim surcharge.

What organisations can take from it

On-site drainage needs monitoring and maintenance so that faults in the foul sewer do not reach watercourses via surface water pipes.

Authority / court
Airdrie Sheriff Court (Ermittlungen: SEPA, Anklage: Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
Legal basis
Regulations 4 und 44(1)(a) Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011; Section 20(3)(a) Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Food and agriculture
Published
24 Mar 2026

Original amount 51,600 GBP, converted at the ECB reference rate of 11 Nov 2025.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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28 Oct 2025 ExxonMobil Chemical LimitedExxonMobil Chemical: 176,000 GBP fine for six days of continuous flaring in Fife United KingdomEmissions and permits €200,913

Following a loss of steam in April 2019, the ethylene plant in Fife flared for almost a week; the smoke significantly exceeded permit limits, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) received over 900 complaints. Existing procedures and emergency plans should have prevented the incident but were not adequately followed. The company pleaded guilty and was fined 176,000 GBP.

What organisations can take from it

Emergency plans only protect if staff apply them consistently in an emergency – regular drills are part of permit compliance.

Relevance to training and awareness

Compliance with operating and emergency procedures in industrial plants

Authority / court
Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court (Ermittlungen: Scottish Environment Protection Agency, SEPA)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
Legal basis
Regulation 67(1)(b) Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012; Section 2 Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Chemicals and pharmaceuticals
Employees
10,000 or more
Culpability
negligent
Published
28 Oct 2025

Original amount 176,000 GBP, converted at the ECB reference rate of 28 Oct 2025.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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23 Oct 2025 TotalEnergies; TotalEnergies Electricité et Gaz de FranceParis Judicial Court: TotalEnergies advertising on climate neutrality misleading FranceMisleading environmental and sustainability claims Order

In an action brought by Greenpeace France, Les Amis de la Terre and Notre Affaire à Tous, the Paris Judicial Court (Tribunal judiciaire de Paris, 34th chamber) found that TotalEnergies had advertised on totalenergies.fr with the goal of ‘carbon neutrality by 2050’ and its role as a player in the energy transition without disclosing that oil and gas production continues to be expanded – a misleading commercial practice. The court ordered the communication to cease, damages to be paid to the associations and the operative part of the judgment to be published on the website (RG 22/02955); claims relating to gas and agrofuels were dismissed.

What organisations can take from it

Net-zero targets may only be advertised to consumers with reference to the actual business strategy.

Relevance to training and awareness

Climate targets in consumer communication

Authority / court
Tribunal judiciaire de Paris (34. Kammer)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Misleading environmental and sustainability claims
Legal basis
Art. L121-1 ff. Code de la consommation (Umsetzung der Richtlinie 2005/29/EG)
Action
Order
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Energy and utilities
Employees
10,000 or more
Published
23 Oct 2025

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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8 Oct 2025 Manor Farm Dairy LtdManor Farm Dairy: fine after slurry overflow into stream near Dorchester United KingdomEmissions and permits €18,635

In March 2024, cattle slurry ran from the dairy farm's lagoons into a stream, seriously damaging it over more than 2 km, with effects up to 4.5 km downstream. The court imposed a fine of 6,000 GBP (reduced from 9,000 GBP because of an early guilty plea) and 10,158.50 GBP in costs; the Environment Agency described the incident as avoidable.

What organisations can take from it

Farms must maintain sufficient slurry storage capacity and monitor lagoons.

Authority / court
Taunton Magistrates' Court (Anklage: Environment Agency)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
Legal basis
Regulations 12(1)(b) und 38(1)(a) Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Food and agriculture
Culpability
negligent
Mitigating circumstances
Early guilty plea (fine reduced from 9,000 to 6,000 GBP).
Published
13 Oct 2025

Original amount 16,158.5 GBP, converted at the ECB reference rate of 8 Oct 2025.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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27 Aug 2025 V.Ships Norway A.S.V.Ships Norway: 2 million USD fine for oil pollution and falsified oil record books USAWaste and hazardous substances €1.73m

On board the tanker M/T Swift Winchester, a hose connected the incinerator's waste oil tank to the sewage tank from February to August 2022, so that oily waste bypassed the pollution prevention equipment and went into the sea; in August 2022, an oily water separator filter was also hosed down with degreaser on deck and the oily mixture ran overboard. The vessel called at Baton Rouge and Port Arthur with a knowingly falsified oil record book. The ship management company pleaded guilty and is paying a fine of 2 million USD.

What organisations can take from it

When a crew member reports misconduct to management, the company must intervene immediately; otherwise it is liable for the continued pollution.

Relevance to training and awareness

Handling oil residues on board and honest documentation

Authority / court
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Anklage: DOJ Environment and Natural Resources Division)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Waste and hazardous substances
Legal basis
Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS)
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Transport, logistics and shipping
Culpability
intentional
Published
27 Aug 2025

Original amount 2,000,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 27 Aug 2025.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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26 Aug 2025 Acqua Minerale San Benedetto S.p.A.AGCM: San Benedetto removes ‘CO2 neutral’ claim on Ecogreen bottles ItalyMisleading environmental and sustainability claims Other

Labels, the website and commercials for the Ecogreen line claimed that bottle production caused no greenhouse gas emissions and even had a positive effect on the environment. Following an intervention by Italy's competition and consumer protection authority (Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, AGCM) (moral suasion, case PS12596), the mineral water producer removed the claim ‘impatto zero CO2’ in mid-July 2025, revised nature motifs and added a QR code linking to sustainability information.

What organisations can take from it

‘Zero emissions’ promises on packaging can hardly be substantiated; it is better to present specific reduction steps transparently.

Relevance to training and awareness

Climate claims on packaging

Authority / court
Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Misleading environmental and sustainability claims
Legal basis
Codice del Consumo (unlautere Geschäftspraktiken), Verfahren PS12596
Action
Other
Status of proceedings
final
Sector
Food and agriculture
Mitigating circumstances
Voluntary amendment of all labels and advertising materials following the authority's intervention.
Published
26 Aug 2025

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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4 Aug 2025 Infinite Styles Services Co. Ltd (Shein)AGCM: 1 million EUR fine against Shein for misleading environmental claims ItalyMisleading environmental and sustainability claims €1m

Italy's competition and consumer protection authority (Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, AGCM) objected to vague and in part false claims about circular design and recyclability, about the ‘green’ evoluSHEIN collection (only a small share of the range) and about emission targets, while emissions rose in 2023/2024. The ultra-fast-fashion model is subject to a heightened duty of care, the authority held; it imposed 1 million EUR (case PS12709).

What organisations can take from it

Communicate climate targets and recycling promises only if they are specific, substantiated and consistent with actual developments.

Relevance to training and awareness

Verifiable sustainability communication in online retail

Authority / court
Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Misleading environmental and sustainability claims
Legal basis
Codice del Consumo (unlautere Geschäftspraktiken), Verfahren PS12709
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Retail and e-commerce
Employees
10,000 or more
Published
4 Aug 2025

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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31 Jul 2025 B KG (in der Entscheidung anonymisiert)LVwG Lower Austria: penalty for illegal acceptance of 258 t of waste from Hungary upheld AustriaWaste and hazardous substances €850

In September 2022, the KG (limited partnership) accepted 257.78 tonnes of wastewater from the glycerine treatment of a Hungarian biodiesel plant which, because of its methanol content (2.2 %), was subject to notification as hazardous waste but was shipped to Austria without notification and consent. The Lower Austria Regional Administrative Court (Landesverwaltungsgericht Niederösterreich, LVwG) upheld the fine of 850 EUR against the partner authorised to represent the company, set aside the second count (collection without a permit) and discontinued the proceedings in that respect (LVwG-S-512/001-2025).

What organisations can take from it

The recipient of cross-border waste must also check before acceptance whether the shipment has been notified and authorised – otherwise management is personally liable.

Relevance to training and awareness

Checking notification requirements for cross-border waste deliveries

Authority / court
Landesverwaltungsgericht Niederösterreich (Straferkenntnis der Bezirkshauptmannschaft Wiener Neustadt)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Waste and hazardous substances
Legal basis
§ 79 Abs. 1 Z 15b i. V. m. § 69 AWG 2002; Art. 2 Nr. 35 Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1013/2006 (Abfallverbringung); § 9 Abs. 1 VStG
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
reduced
Sector
Other
Liability of senior managers
The penalty was imposed on the partner with unlimited liability as the person appointed to represent the company externally under § 9 (1) VStG (Austrian Administrative Penal Act).

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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9 Jul 2025 Department of National Defence (Kanada)Canada's Department of National Defence pays 10,000 CAD for destroyed hawk nest Canada, ABEnvironment and sustainability €6,238

During fence removal work at Canadian Forces Base Suffield, heavy machinery destroyed an occupied nest of the protected ferruginous hawk together with three eggs. The Department of National Defence pleaded guilty to two counts under the Species at Risk Act and was fined 10,000 CAD.

What organisations can take from it

Construction and dismantling work on military land also requires a prior species protection assessment and briefed machine operators.

Relevance to training and awareness

Species protection during construction work

Authority / court
Alberta Court of Justice (Anklage: Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability
Legal basis
Species at Risk Act, s. 32(1) und s. 33
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
final
Sector
Defence and security
Employees
10,000 or more
Published
30 Jul 2025

Original amount 10,000 CAD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 9 Jul 2025.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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12 Jun 2025 Ville de LongueuilCity of Longueuil pays 30,000 CAD for mowing that destroyed a protected bird's nest Canada, QCEnvironment and sustainability €18,979

During mowing work in the municipal Parc des Sorbiers in July 2024, at least one nest of the protected bobolink was destroyed; a citizen reported the find. The city pleaded guilty under the Species at Risk Act and is paying 30,000 CAD.

What organisations can take from it

Maintenance plans for green spaces must take into account the breeding seasons of protected species, and the teams carrying out the work must be briefed accordingly.

Relevance to training and awareness

Species protection in green space maintenance

Authority / court
Court of Québec (Anklage: Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability
Legal basis
Species at Risk Act, s. 33
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
final
Sector
Public sector
Published
12 Jun 2025

Original amount 30,000 CAD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 12 Jun 2025.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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14 May 2025 Norfolk Southern Railway CompanyNorfolk Southern: EPA fine for locomotives without valid emissions certification USAEmissions and permits €266,631

In the view of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the freight railway operated locomotives without a certificate of conformity, did not comply with the conditions of a testing exemption for several locomotives and operated locomotives in breach of the applicable emission standards. Under the settlement (Consent Agreement and Final Order), the company is paying a civil penalty of 299,000 USD.

What organisations can take from it

Converted vehicles or vehicles exempted for testing are also subject to certification and restoration obligations, which must be tracked in fleet management.

Authority / court
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 3
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
Legal basis
Clean Air Act §§ 203(a), 213(d) (42 U.S.C. §§ 7522(a), 7547(d)); 40 C.F.R. § 1068.101
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
final
Sector
Transport, logistics and shipping
Employees
10,000 or more

Original amount 299,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 14 May 2025.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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19 Mar 2025 Hino Motors, Ltd.Hino Motors: over 1.6 billion USD in fines and forfeiture for emissions fraud USAEmissions and permits €1.48bn

Between 2010 and 2019, the Toyota subsidiary submitted false certification applications, altered emissions data and fabricated test results; more than 105,000 non-compliant diesel engines were imported into the USA. The court imposed a fine of 521.76 million USD and forfeiture of 1.087 billion USD, plus five years of probation with an import ban on Hino diesel engines.

What organisations can take from it

Manipulated test data in approval procedures lead to penalties that threaten a company's existence and to market bans; testing processes need independent controls.

Relevance to training and awareness

Data integrity in testing and approval procedures

Authority / court
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Ermittlungen: EPA Criminal Investigation Division, FBI)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
Legal basis
Clean Air Act; Verschwörung zum Betrug der Vereinigten Staaten und Schmuggel (Schuldbekenntnis)
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Automotive
Employees
10,000 or more
Culpability
intentional
Published
19 Mar 2025

Original amount 1,608,760,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 19 Mar 2025.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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15 Jan 2025 Hino Motors, Ltd.; Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc.; Hino Motors Sales U.S.A., Inc.Hino Motors: over 1 billion USD in penalties for falsified emissions test data USAEmissions and permits €1.02bn

From 2010 to 2019, the Toyota subsidiary altered test data, carried out tests improperly or fabricated them entirely for more than 50 engine families (around 105,000 on-road and 5,700 off-road diesel engines). The resolution with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice comprises a civil penalty of 525 million USD and a criminal fine of 521.76 million USD (together 1.047 billion USD), five years of probation and an import ban on diesel engines; including the recall and mitigation measures, the overall resolution totals more than 1.6 billion USD.

What organisations can take from it

Certification data is evidence – companies that embellish test results risk their existence, loss of market access and criminal prosecution.

Relevance to training and awareness

Integrity of test and certification data

Authority / court
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / U.S. Department of Justice
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
Legal basis
Clean Air Act
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Automotive
Culpability
intentional

Original amount 1,046,760,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 15 Jan 2025.

Sources

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13 Jan 2025 Rio Tinto Fer et Titane inc.Rio Tinto Fer et Titane: 2 million CAD fine for nickel-bearing and acidic mine effluent Canada, QCWaste and hazardous substances €1.36m

At the Lac Tio mine near Havre-Saint-Pierre, there were nickel exceedances in 2023 after severed power cables disabled the effluent treatment, untreated acidic discharges in the summer, and a failure to take samples after an unauthorised discharge. The company pleaded guilty to eight counts and is paying 2 million CAD into the Environmental Damages Fund.

What organisations can take from it

Failures of effluent treatment must be covered by emergency plans and documented through the required sampling.

Relevance to training and awareness

Sampling and monitoring obligations after malfunctions

Authority / court
Court of Québec (Ermittlungen: Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Waste and hazardous substances
Legal basis
Fisheries Act, Subsection 36(3); Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Steel and metals
Mitigating circumstances
Guilty plea.
Published
14 Jan 2025

Original amount 2,000,000 CAD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 13 Jan 2025.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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18 Nov 2024 ArcelorMittal Exploitation Minière Canada s.e.n.c.ArcelorMittal mining subsidiary: 100,000 CAD fine for obstructing environmental inspectors Canada, QCWaste and hazardous substances €67,236

During inspections of the Mont-Wright mining complex in June 2022, environmental inspectors requested documents on compliance with effluent regulations; the company refused to hand over some of them until September 2022. The court imposed 100,000 CAD for obstructing the inspection and ordered the documents to be produced (separate proceedings alongside the later fine of 100 million CAD).

What organisations can take from it

Refusing to hand over requested documents is itself an offence – employees must know how to deal with information requests from inspectors.

Relevance to training and awareness

Cooperation and production of documents during regulatory inspections

Authority / court
Court of Québec (Ermittlungen: Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Waste and hazardous substances
Legal basis
Fisheries Act, Section 62 (Behinderung von Kontrollbeamten); Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Steel and metals
Culpability
intentional
Published
19 Nov 2024

Original amount 100,000 CAD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 18 Nov 2024.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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8 Nov 2024 Invesco Advisers, Inc.Invesco Advisers: 17.5 million USD for inflated ESG integration percentages USAMisleading environmental and sustainability claims €16.2m

From 2020 to 2022, Invesco told clients that 70 to 94 per cent of the parent company's assets under management were ‘ESG integrated’, but counted passive ETFs that did not take ESG into account and had no written definition of ESG integration. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) imposed 17.5 million USD, a censure and a cease-and-desist order.

What organisations can take from it

Sustainability metrics used in sales need a written definition and a traceable calculation.

Relevance to training and awareness

Verifiable metrics in ESG marketing

Authority / court
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Misleading environmental and sustainability claims
Legal basis
Investment Advisers Act of 1940
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
final
Sector
Financial services and insurance
Culpability
intentional
Published
8 Nov 2024

Original amount 17,500,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 8 Nov 2024.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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9 Oct 2024 Campello S.p.A.; Microlino Italia S.r.l.AGCM: providers of small electric cars remove ‘100 % green’ advertising ItalyMisleading environmental and sustainability claims Other

On the websites for the XEV YOYO and Microlino electric vehicles, the companies advertised with ‘100 % sustainable’, ‘100 % Green’, ‘zero emissions’ and ‘zero environmental impact’ without taking into account life-cycle phases or the emissions from electricity generation. Following an intervention by Italy's competition and consumer protection authority (Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, AGCM) (moral suasion, PS12794/PS12819), the claims were removed.

What organisations can take from it

Even for electric vehicles, absolute claims such as ‘zero emissions’ are misleading if manufacturing and electricity generation are left out.

Relevance to training and awareness

Blanket environmental promises for electric products

Authority / court
Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Misleading environmental and sustainability claims
Legal basis
Codice del Consumo (unlautere Geschäftspraktiken), Verfahren PS12794 und PS12819
Action
Other
Status of proceedings
final
Sector
Automotive
Mitigating circumstances
Voluntary removal of the claims following the authority's intervention.
Published
9 Oct 2024

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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16 Sep 2024 COBB Tuning Products, LLCCOBB Tuning: 2.914 million USD for over 81,000 tuners that disable emission controls USA, TXEmissions and permits €2.62m

Since 2015, the Austin-based manufacturer has sold more than 81,000 tuners that deactivate emission controls, as well as 8,400 exhaust pipes with fewer or weaker catalytic converters. The proposed settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (subject to court approval) provides for a civil penalty of 2,914,000 USD in four instalments, as well as a ban on defeat devices, removal of the ‘delete’ functions, information for dealers and customers, buy-back and destruction of such devices held by employees, and Clean Air Act training for the workforce.

What organisations can take from it

Tuning products that circumvent emission controls are prohibited even as ‘racing parts’ – product approvals require an emissions review.

Relevance to training and awareness

Emissions law for aftermarket products

Missing or inadequate training played a role in the decision.

Authority / court
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
Legal basis
Clean Air Act § 203(a)(3)(B), 42 U.S.C. § 7522(a)(3)(B)
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Automotive
Mitigating circumstances
Amount of the penalty based on demonstrated limited ability to pay; payment in instalments.

Original amount 2,914,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 16 Sep 2024.

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10 Sep 2024 Rudy's Performance Parts, Inc.Rudy's Performance Parts: 10 million USD in criminal and civil penalties for defeat devices USAEmissions and permits €9.07m

From 2014 to 2019, the North Carolina company and its CEO Aaron Rudolf manufactured, sold or installed over 250,000 parts for Ford, GM and Dodge diesel pickups in order to remove emission controls – according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), producing as much in emissions as more than 11 million additional vehicles. A total of 10 million USD: a civil penalty of 7 million USD in instalments (settlement subject to court approval), a criminal fine of 2.4 million USD against the company together with three years' probation, and a fine of 600,000 USD against the CEO.

What organisations can take from it

Those who run emissions tampering as a business model are liable under civil and criminal law – all the way up to management.

Authority / court
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / U.S. Department of Justice
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
Legal basis
Clean Air Act § 203(a)(3)
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Automotive
Culpability
intentional
Mitigating circumstances
Payment in instalments because of demonstrated limited ability to pay.
Liability of senior managers
CEO Aaron Rudolf: three years' probation and a fine of 600,000 USD in the criminal proceedings; personally a party to the civil settlement.

Original amount 10,000,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 10 Sep 2024.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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27 Aug 2024 Cleveland Cliffs Burns Harbor LLCCleveland-Cliffs Burns Harbor: EPA settlement over pollutant emissions at steelworks USAEmissions and permits €222,537

The steelworks on Lake Michigan allegedly emitted excessive particulate matter and hazardous air pollutants when charging the basic oxygen furnaces and during overflows of molten material. Under the settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the company is paying 248,396 USD and must charge more slowly, improve extraction and monitoring, and introduce video recording and reporting to the EPA.

What organisations can take from it

Emission peaks often result from operating procedures; binding work instructions and documentation are part of permit compliance.

Relevance to training and awareness

Operating procedures for reducing emissions in production

Authority / court
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
Legal basis
Clean Air Act
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
final
Sector
Steel and metals
Published
27 Aug 2024

Original amount 248,396 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 27 Aug 2024.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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27 Jun 2024 BGH: advertising with ‘climate neutral’ only permissible with explanation in the advertisement itself GermanyMisleading environmental and sustainability claims Order

A manufacturer of fruit gums and liquorice (not named in the official press release) advertised in a trade journal that it had produced all its products ‘climate neutral’ since 2021, although this was achieved partly through offsetting. Germany's Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof, BGH) prohibited the advertising following an action brought by the Centre for Protection against Unfair Competition (Wettbewerbszentrale): ambiguous environmental terms must be explained in the advertisement itself, since reduction and offsetting are not equivalent.

What organisations can take from it

Companies advertising with ‘climate neutral’ must explain directly in the advertisement whether emissions are avoided or merely offset.

Relevance to training and awareness

Legally compliant environmental and climate claims in advertising

Authority / court
Bundesgerichtshof (I. Zivilsenat)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Misleading environmental and sustainability claims
Legal basis
§ 3 Abs. 1, § 5 Abs. 1, § 5a Abs. 1 und 3, § 8 Abs. 1 Satz 1 UWG (Az. I ZR 98/23)
Action
Order
Status of proceedings
final
Sector
Food and agriculture
Published
27 Jun 2024

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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27 Mar 2024 ASOS; Boohoo; George at AsdaCMA: ASOS, Boohoo and George at Asda commit to clear environmental claims United KingdomMisleading environmental and sustainability claims Other

Following an investigation into their fashion environmental claims, the three retailers gave formal undertakings to the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA): no vague terms such as ‘eco’ or ‘responsible’, clear information on recycled and organic content, transparent criteria for green ranges, correct filters and information on labels, and regular reports to the CMA. No breach of law was established.

What organisations can take from it

Sustainability labels in online shops must be specific, verifiable and easy for customers to understand; blanket terms are not sufficient.

Relevance to training and awareness

Wording of environmental claims in marketing and online shops

Authority / court
Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Misleading environmental and sustainability claims
Legal basis
Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (förmliche Verpflichtungszusagen)
Action
Other
Status of proceedings
final
Sector
Retail and e-commerce
Published
27 Mar 2024

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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20 Mar 2024 Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V. (KLM)Amsterdam District Court: KLM advertising on sustainable flying misleading NetherlandsMisleading environmental and sustainability claims Other

In a collective action brought by the Fossielvrij foundation, the Amsterdam District Court (Rechtbank Amsterdam) found that 15 KLM advertising claims were misleading and unlawful: they suggested sustainable flying or that offsetting products actually compensate for the climate impact, although biofuels and reforestation reduce it only marginally. KLM bears the costs of the proceedings; further claims were dismissed (ECLI:NL:RBAMS:2024:1512).

What organisations can take from it

Offsetting and SAF offerings must not create the impression of climate-neutral travel; associations can challenge such claims in court.

Relevance to training and awareness

Climate claims and offsetting offers in customer communication

Authority / court
Rechtbank Amsterdam
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Misleading environmental and sustainability claims
Legal basis
Wet oneerlijke handelspraktijken (Art. 6:193a ff. BW)
Action
Other
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Transport, logistics and shipping
Employees
10,000 or more
Published
20 Mar 2024

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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10 Jan 2024 Cummins Inc.Cummins: 1.675 billion USD civil penalty for defeat devices in Ram pickups USAEmissions and permits €1.53bn

The engine manufacturer programmed the engine software so that emission controls were reduced or switched off during normal driving (around 630,000 Ram 2500/3500 vehicles from model years 2013–2019) and failed to disclose auxiliary emission control devices in a further approximately 330,000 vehicles. Civil penalty of 1.675 billion USD – the highest ever under the Clean Air Act – plus recall and mitigation measures, totalling around 2 billion USD.

What organisations can take from it

Software functions that affect emissions behaviour must be fully disclosed in the type approval process.

Authority / court
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. District Court, District of Columbia)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
Legal basis
Clean Air Act
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
unknown
Sector
Automotive
Employees
10,000 or more

Original amount 1,675,000,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 10 Jan 2024.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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25 Sep 2023 DWS Investment Management Americas Inc.DWS Investment Management Americas: 19 million USD for misleading ESG statements USAMisleading environmental and sustainability claims €17.9m

From 2018 until the end of 2021, the Deutsche Bank subsidiary presented ESG as part of its ‘DNA’ but did not implement the ESG integration policies it had promised. It is paying 19 million USD for the ESG misstatements; in separate proceedings over deficiencies in its anti-money laundering programme, a further 6 million USD was added.

What organisations can take from it

ESG marketing statements must be backed by processes that are actually practised and documented; otherwise they become a regulatory risk.

Relevance to training and awareness

Truthful sustainability communication in sales and marketing

Authority / court
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Area of law
Environment and sustainability · Misleading environmental and sustainability claims
Legal basis
Sections 206(2), 206(4) Investment Advisers Act; Rules 206(4)-7 und 206(4)-8
Action
Fine
Status of proceedings
final
Sector
Financial services and insurance
Published
25 Sep 2023

Original amount 19,000,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 25 Sep 2023.

Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link

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