Fuels: Emmanuel Macron calls for a relaxation of European standards on production and imports

French President Emmanuel Macron has requested EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to relax rules governing fuel composition and methane emissions reporting in a bid to curb the surge in energy prices, according to sources cited by POLITICO, Les Echos, and BFM. The letter, seen by POLITICO, also calls for a one-year delay in the implementation of stricter EU regulations imposing fines on oil and gas companies for failing to report methane emissions.

These regulations, aimed at reducing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, have been criticized by the U.S. government and the fossil fuel industry, who argue they could harm European energy security by driving oil and gas imports away. The EU had previously recommended that member states refrain from imposing penalties on violators until the end of 2029, but Macron has urged a clear postponement of the enforcement of these rules.

He also suggested temporarily relaxing EU fuel quality standards, which set parameters such as density and vaporization limits, and permitting a higher proportion of biofuels in diesel. Macron emphasized the need to draw attention to several points that, if addressed and implemented at the European level, could together bolster short-term import and production capacities.

France has been providing targeted fuel consumption subsidies to affected sectors and is expected to announce additional measures throughout Tuesday. Meanwhile, France will host a G7 meeting to discuss the soaring fuel prices and other fallout from the Middle East crisis.