Sweden proposes environmental penalties up to SEK 5 million
Sweden's government has sent a proposal for consultation that would make environmental sanction fees vary with the seriousness and circumstances of an offence. The proposed range is SEK 5,000 to SEK 5 million.
Listen to this articleNarrated - 9:12
The system currently relies largely on fixed fees. Under the memorandum, supervisory authorities and municipalities would gain more room to set a proportionate amount. New fees are also proposed for breaches involving methane, fluorinated greenhouse gases, ozone-depleting substances and ecodesign rules.
Authorities could additionally recover financial gains linked to certain methane violations. The government says variable fees would strengthen deterrence and make enforcement fairer across cases of different scale.
No rules have changed yet. The memorandum is open for consultation until 16 November 2026, and the government proposes that the changes take effect on 1 June 2027. The final text could change before any bill or regulation is adopted.
DailySweden
DailySweden's desk of editors, reporters, researchers and investigative journalists. We bring readers factual, truthful and objective reporting on the issues that matter to them.
Contact the editorial desk ›
