Methane/EU: Council in favour of a one-year postponement of importers’ obligations

The Council of the EU adopted its position in favour of a one-year deferral of several obligations under the EU Regulation on methane emissions in the energy sector, following a Coreper meeting on 6 November 2026.

The monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) obligations for importers of crude oil, natural gas and coal would apply from 1 January 2028. The reporting of methane intensity by EU importers and producers would be deferred until 5 August 2029, and compliance with maximum methane intensity limits until 5 August 2031. The Member States have adopted the European Commission’s proposal of 14 October 2026.

“The Council’s agreement proposes a pragmatic approach, which addresses pressures on the energy market whilst maintaining the EU’s global leadership in reducing methane…