Twelve EU member states, led by the Czech Republic, have called for a three-year delay on methane import regulations during an energy council meeting in Luxembourg on June 26.

At the energy council meeting held in Luxembourg last Friday, June 26, twelve EU member states, including the Czech Republic, Netherlands, Italy, Poland, and Belgium, urged the European Commission to postpone the implementation of methane import rules for three years. These rules, specifically Article 28, require oil, gas, and coal companies to demonstrate compliance with EU-equivalent standards for contracts signed after August 2024, starting in 2027, or face penalties. The member states expressed concerns that the legal uncertainties surrounding the monitoring and reporting requirements could lead to disruptions in gas supplies to the EU.

The proposed suspension aims to provide the EU with time to clarify verification protocols and reporting methodologies through delegated acts, thereby reducing legal risks for importers. Despite some flexibility in the regulations, such as waiving penalties for three years, member states argue that this compromise is insufficient due to its non-binding nature. They warned that the uncertainty could deter importers from signing long-term contracts, potentially redirecting supplies to markets with less stringent regulations. Energy lawyers have echoed these concerns, stating that unresolved elements of the regulation could complicate contract negotiations and negatively impact gas supply security.

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen stated during the meeting that he remains firm on not reopening the legislation but promised to address implementation concerns and provide further recommendations soon. Meanwhile, major gas deals continue to be signed, such as Venture Global’s 20-year agreement with Italy’s Eni for two million tonnes of liquid gas annually, alongside similar deals with buyers in Germany, Spain, and Greece. However, member states maintain that the unfinished aspects of the regulation, including the accreditation of independent verifiers and equivalency determinations for non-EU countries, pose significant challenges for importers negotiating long-term contracts.