Visits to Member States relating to a reduction in the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels

A cycle of visits to the Member States concerning the implementation of Directive (EU) 2016/802 of 11 May 2016 relating to a reduction in the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels (codified Directive 1999/32/EC) started in 2016 and was completed in 2022.

Article 1 of the Directive states:

1. The purpose of this Directive is to reduce the emissions of sulphur dioxide resulting from the combustion of certain types of liquid fuels and thereby to reduce the harmful effects of such emissions on man and the environment.

2. Reductions in emissions of sulphur dioxide resulting from the combustion of certain petroleum-derived liquid fuels shall be achieved by imposing limits on the sulphur content of such fuels as a condition for their use within Member States' territory, territorial seas and exclusive economic zones or pollution control zones.

The visits focussed on the maritime related provisions in the Directive and, in particular, examined the following processes:

1. The way in which Member States implemented the provisions of the Directive through its transposition into national legislation and in complementary implementation measures. This included the assignment of responsibilities within the Administration and the allocation of infrastructure and human resources in order to achieve the legislation’s objectives.

2. The carrying-out of inspections, including the operational activities relating to inspections and fuel sampling conducted on board ships, record keeping and reporting.

3. The monitoring of marine fuel suppliers, including the national provisions and system in place for the monitoring of the marine fuels placed on the market in the Member State’s territory.

4. The trial use and approval of abatement methods, including activities relating to the approval processes, trials, and alternative fuels.

5. The establishment and use of a sanction and penalty system for breaches of the national provisions adopted to implement the Directive.

6. The fulfilment of the various information obligations that are required by the Directive.

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