Methane regulation: Council agrees to postpone monitoring rules for one year
Today, the Council agreed its position on the Commission proposal for targeted amendments to the EU methane regulation. The aim is to postpone for one year specific rules related to the import of crude oil, natural gas and coal and to avoid placing additional pressure on the EU’s security of supply, in view of the disruption to energy markets caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
In its conclusions of 15 and 16 October 2026, the European Council welcomed this proposal as a targeted measure to address the impact of the current geopolitical context on global supply chains, energy security and energy and fuel prices.
There are significant pressures on global energy markets, which are driving up energy prices across the EU. More than ever, we need secure and reliable energy supplies in Europe. The Council’s agreement today proposes a pragmatic approach forward, addressing the pressures in the energy market, while maintaining the EU’s global leadership in reducing methane emissions. The Irish presidency is now focused on reaching an early agreement with the European Parliament. (Darragh O’Brien, Ireland’s Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment)
Member states agreed to maintain the substance of the Commission’s proposal presented on 14 October 2026, postponing the application of the following provisions by one year:
- monitoring, reporting and verification obligations for natural gas, crude oil and coal importers, to apply from 1 January 2028 (instead of 1 January 2027)
- methane-intensity reporting for both importers and Union producers, to apply from 5 August 2029 (instead of 5 August 2028)
- maximum methane-intensity levels for both importers and Union producers, to apply from 5 August 2031 (instead of 5 August 2030)
According to the Council’s position, the Commission will, by 30 September 2027, assess whether the necessary elements for the implementation of the reporting obligations are met.
These include the availability of a sufficient number of third-party verifiers to assess the conformity of the emission reports, and whether there are in place EU implementing rules on transferring information about methane emissions between producers and importers, as well as on equivalent third-party verification and monitoring procedures in third countries.
In case any of the necessary elements do not exist, the Commission will postpone the application of import-related monitoring obligations through secondary law, as member states agreed.
The Commission could also propose changes to the methane regulation in case of continued challenges for implementation or a threat to the security of supply.
Next steps
The Council will seek an early agreement with the European Parliament to ensure that the proposed postponement takes effect by the end of the year, since the targeted import-related monitoring rules are due to apply on 1 January 2027 under the current rules.
Background
The EU methane regulation was adopted by the Council in May 2024 and entered into force in August 2024. It introduced new requirements on measuring, reporting and verifying methane emissions in the energy sector, ensuring transparency on imports of crude oil, natural gas and coal into the EU. Methane emissions are responsible for about 30% of global climate warming.
