What happened
The European Commission has proposed moving the start of methane requirements for imported fossil fuels from 1 January 2027 to 2028. The change concerns EU importers of oil, gas and coal.
Under the EU Methane Regulation, importers would need to show that non-EU suppliers use methane monitoring, reporting and verification practices comparable to those required for EU producers. Under the proposal, the first yearly evidence submission to national authorities would be due by 31 May 2029.
The Commission said the current energy crisis could make implementation difficult without creating risks for fuel supply. Importers should use the proposed additional time to identify affected suppliers and establish the evidence needed for compliance.
Why it matters
The proposal would delay, rather than remove, the compliance task for businesses selling fossil fuels into the EU. Importers and overseas suppliers will still need systems capable of documenting methane management against standards aligned with EU requirements.
Methane is released during fossil-fuel production, processing and transport. The International Energy Agency estimates that it accounts for roughly 25% to 30% of current global warming.
What happens next
The proposed amendment must complete the EU legislative process before taking effect. Italy and Czechia had supported calls for a three-year delay, while the Commission has proposed a one-year shift.
Separately, the UN Environment Programme's 2026 Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 report found that around half of worldwide oil and gas production lacks credible methane measurement. That gap may add to the practical challenge for importers seeking supplier evidence.
