Denmark’s Criminal Code (Straffeloven) sets out the general framework of criminal law, including the principle of legality, jurisdiction, conditions for criminal responsibility, attempts and participation, penalties, confiscation and other legal consequences. It also establishes rules on the criminal liability of legal persons: companies, associations, foundations, partnerships, municipalities and state authorities may be fined where liability is provided for by law, and in some circumstances comparable sole proprietorships are also covered. Liability generally requires that an offence committed within the entity’s activities can be attributed to persons connected with it or to the legal person itself. Several provisions are particularly relevant to the protection of human health and food and consumer safety. Section 180 covers the most serious form of arson, whereas sections 181 and 182 cover less serious and negligent cases. Section 186 criminalises conduct that endangers human life or health by causing a general shortage of drinking water or introducing harmful substances into water supplies or watercourses. Sections 187 and 188 address goods intended for sale or widespread use that have been made dangerous through poisonous or other harmful substances, as well as spoiled or improperly prepared food and other products whose dangerous condition is concealed before sale or distribution. Section 195 additionally penalises the sale of food known to be imitated or falsified where its true nature is not clearly indicated on the product, label, packaging or invoice. The Code also extends protection to animal and plant health and to the environment. Section 190 applies similar protections where the life or health of livestock is endangered, while section 192 penalises breaches of disease-control rules that create a risk of infectious disease spreading among people, livestock or useful and cultivated plants; negligent conduct is also punishable. In addition, section 196 covers serious violations of environmental legislation involving pollution of air, water, soil or subsoil or the improper storage or disposal of waste, and section 196a addresses particularly serious violations of legislation on trade in wild animals and plants. In sum, the Code contains relevant provisions on food safety, drinking-water protection, animal and plant health, environmental protection and wildlife trade, while the detailed regulatory requirements are generally contained in separate sector-specific legislation.
الدانمرك · 1930-04-15