Briefing

The revised FQD: weakened proposal must still be implemented

November 6, 2014

This briefing looks at the main features of the 2014 proposal too implement Article 7a of the Fuel Quality Directive (FQD). Despite weakening – due to intense lobbying by the Canadian and US governments and oil companies – some of the elements of the 2014 proposal are worth implementing and strengthening, such as the new reporting of crude oil imports by market crude oil names (MCONs). In addition, the 2014 proposal gives fuel suppliers new ways to meet the FQD target, such as promoting low-carbon electricity used in transport.

This briefing looks at the main features of the 2014 proposal and the main changes compared to the previous proposal from 2011. Despite the weakening, some of the elements of the 2014 proposal are worth implementing and strengthening, such as the new reporting of crude oil imports by market crude oil names (MCONs). In addition, the 2014 proposal gives fuel suppliers new ways to meet the FQD target, such as promoting low-carbon electricity used in transport.

The table below compares the two different proposals released by the European Commission in 2011 and in 2014 to implement the Fuel Quality Directive. It looks at the differences between the two proposals: reporting requirements, estimated costs, environmental impacts, etc.

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