Abstract
Legal requirements for protection of the natural environment are continually being strengthened because of increased human damage to environmental resources. The applicable regulations of the Polish Penal Code towards protection of the environment were considerably amended in 2011 also to ensure implementation of European Parliament and European Council directives 2008 / 99 / EC, issued on the 19th November 2008. In addition, these changes also involve cross-border infringements, so that perpetrators cannot avoid retribution for actions committed under different provisions in individual Member States.