Commission Recommendations on EU Methane Regulation do not address the core industry concerns

The Commission's Recommendations confirm industry's concerns, but they do not resolve the core problem: legal certainty.

Importers remain legally accountable to the EU Methane Regulation while critical compliance systems are still not operational. Recommendations are non-binding and cannot eliminate the risk of non-compliance. Without targeted amendments to the text of the Regulation, operators will continue to face legal uncertainty and lack the tools to comply with the obligations. This risks disrupting access to crude oil supplies, undermining the competitiveness of European refineries and increasing reliance on imported refined products, all without delivering meaningful environmental benefits, as refining activity and associated emissions will relocate outside the EU.

We therefore urge policymakers to act swiftly and support targeted changes to the Regulation that provide a realistic, enforceable and legally sound pathway to compliance.