EN EN

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 14.10.2026 COM(2026) 569 final

2026/0325 (COD)

Proposal for a

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 on the reduction of methane emissions in the

energy sector as regards the postponement of certain obligations

(Text with EEA relevance)

EN 1 EN

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL

• Reasons for and objectives of the proposal

Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction

of methane emissions in the energy sector1 (the ‘Regulation’) entered into force on 4 August

2024. The scope of the Regulation covers crude oil, natural gas and coal. It lays down rules

for the accurate measurement, quantification, monitoring, reporting and verification of

methane emissions in the energy sector in the Union, and for reducing those emissions,

including through leak detection and repair surveys, repair obligations and restrictions on

venting and flaring. The Regulation applies also to methane emissions occurring outside the

Union, with respect to crude oil, natural gas and coal placed on the Union market.

Methane is second only to carbon dioxide (CO₂) in its overall contribution to climate change and is responsible for approximately a third of current warming. The amount of methane in the atmosphere globally has risen sharply over the last decade. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, created within the framework of the United Nations, published in its Sixth Assessment Report the finding that deep reductions in anthropogenic methane emissions are needed by 2030 to limit global warming to 1,5 °C2.

The Regulation introduces progressive requirements to increase transparency on methane

emissions. It requires importers to provide competent authorities of the Member States with

information on the methane emissions of the crude oil, natural gas and coal placed on the

Union market as of 5 May 2025. As of 1 January 2027, importers have to demonstrate that

contracts concluded or renewed after 4 August 2024 for the supply of crude oil, natural gas or

coal produced outside the Union are subject to monitoring, reporting and verification

measures equivalent to those laid down in the Regulation at the level of the Union producers.

By 5 August 2028 and every year thereafter, Union producers and importers will also have to:

(i) report on the methane intensity of the production of crude oil, natural gas and coal placed

on the Union market; and (ii) demonstrate, by 5 August 2030 and every year thereafter, that

methane intensity is below the maximum methane intensity values established by the

Commission by delegated act, following the procedure laid down in the Regulation.

Since 27 February 2026, the Strait of Hormuz, a major maritime point of passage for the global energy trade, has experienced acute geopolitical and economic disruptions leading to its closure, as well as intermittent closures of other infrastructure exporting energy products from the Persian Gulf. Those disruptions are widely regarded as the largest affecting global energy supplies since the energy crisis in the 1970s, and the largest in the history of the global oil market3.

The disruptions in the Middle East are having a deeply negative impact on global and European energy markets. Approximately 20 % of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply4 and 25 % of global seaborne oil trade5 have been affected. As a result, the high

1 Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on the

reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/942 (OJ L,

2024/1787, 15.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1787/oj). 2 AR6 Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023. 3 https://www.iea.org/reports/oil-market-report-april-2026. 4 Gas Market Report, Q2-2026 – Analysis - IEA, p. 6. 5 Oil Market Report, September 2026 – IEA, p. 4.

EN 2 EN

growth in LNG exports that was initially expected from that region in the period 2026-2027 is unlikely to materialise, and will likely be delayed by at least two years, with associated risks in terms of market tightness and price volatility6. As regards oil, the overall loss in oil exports has exceeded 13 mb/d, with the associated production curtailment and damage to the energy infrastructure in the Gulf region resulting in cumulative supply losses of an estimated 2.8 billion barrels by the end of 2026, including anticipated losses during post-conflict gradual production ramp-up7. Suppliers outside the Gulf region have been able to compensate for the gap in LNG and oil supplies only to a limited extent. The damage that has occurred to the energy infrastructure in the Gulf region, the time required for infrastructure restart and the gradual bottleneck easing all contribute to what will likely be a prolonged period of supply insufficiency and uncertainties in global energy markets.

The Regulation does not impose restrictions on energy imports to the Union. However, as the uncertainty surrounding the duration and severity of the Middle Eastern supply shock continues to support high and volatile global energy prices, the Union must secure reliable and competitive supplies of crude oil, natural gas and coal. This is proving to be challenging in a context where existing contractual agreements and trade routes are strained and where the pool of alternative supplies remains restricted, especially for short-term deliveries. In this context, importers have indicated that their ability to fully comply with the requirements of the Regulation may be affected and that they might therefore not be in a position to secure sufficient compliant energy supplies as of 1 January 2027.

This proposal contains targeted changes to the Regulation to postpone by one year the application of monitoring, reporting and verification obligations for importers, as well as the provisions concerning methane intensity for importers and Union producers.

The obligations set out in Articles 28 and 29 of the Regulation should be postponed by one year, allowing third countries, importers, Union producers and competent authorities of the Member States to be in a position to implement them fully and effectively. The extended timeline will also allow for further engagement and progress on implementation, in response to concerns about the current implementation timeline expressed by a number of Member States, third countries and operators. Specifically, the additional time will enable Member States to complete adoption of their national penalty regimes, national accreditation bodies to accredit verifiers in line with the Regulation’s requirements, and national competent authorities to assess and recognise compliance solution providers for compliance with the Regulation’s requirements and the criteria of the Recommendation on compliance solutions8.

The proposed amendment introduces the necessary flexibility, while maintaining the level of ambition of the overall emissions reduction objective of the Regulation. It does not signal a change in the Commission’s commitment to further reducing methane emissions, which are the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions after CO2. Abating methane is one of the fastest and most effective ways to reduce global warming and has great energy savings benefits. The International Energy Agency estimates that over 350 billion cubic metres of gas were lost to flaring, venting and leakage worldwide in 2024 alone, three times the supply that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has removed from global markets. Reducing methane leakage and eliminating routine venting and flaring from oil and gas operations can directly

6 Gas Market Report, Q2-2026- p. 8. 7 Oil Market Report, September 2026 – IEA , p. 5. 8 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/1834 of 20 July 2026 on optional model clauses developed

pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction

of methane emissions in the energy sector and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/942 (OJ L, 2026/1834,

24.7.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2026/1834/oj).

EN 3 EN

expand available gas supply, assist in reducing price volatility, and help strengthen the resilience of energy systems.

The Commission is therefore committed to the Regulation’s continued implementation, to safeguarding its ambition, and to delivering the remaining implementing and delegated acts. The Commission has already lodged requests for the development of the necessary industry standards for oil and natural gas that implementing the Regulation requires. On top of this, it will soon be adopting some of the necessary methane emissions reporting templates and is implementing a comprehensive reporting system in parallel. It is also regularly engaging with national accreditation bodies in order to bring about the clarity needed to accelerate the process of accrediting verifiers. In addition, the Commission recently published recommendations on compliance solutions and on the application of penalties9; these have contributed further clarity and support to Member States and operators alike on how to implement the rules. The Recommendation on compliance solutions provides clarity on how to demonstrate compliance with the Regulation’s import requirements, especially in complex supply chains. In parallel, the Recommendation on the application of penalties provides Member States with guidance on the application of Article 33(2) of the Regulation in the context of the current energy crisis.

During the period of postponement, the Commission will closely monitor the implementation of the Regulation, as well as the security of supply situation. Any issues regarding implementation will be taken into account in the context of the upcoming review of the Regulation which expressly requires the Commission to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the Regulation in establishing transparent and accurate measurement, reporting and verification rules. According to Article 36(1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1787, this review is due by 1 January 2028, including the requirement for the Commission to submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council.

This proposal introduces limited and targeted amendments to the Methane Regulation to delay application of specific provisions by one year. Further possible amendments of that Regulation are entirely outside of the scope and aims of the present proposal. The Commission will constructively engage with the European Parliament and the Council in order to ensure that the legislative process for the present proposal fully preserves its essential scope and does not distort it.

To maintain regulatory certainty and flexibility, it is essential that this proposal is agreed between the European Parliament and Council swiftly and without delay.

• Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area

In Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 (the ‘European Climate Law’)10, the Union enshrined in

legislation the target of economy-wide climate neutrality by 2050 and established a binding

Union domestic reduction intermediate targets of net greenhouse gas emissions (emissions

after deduction of removals) of at least 55 % compared to 1990 levels by 2030 and 90% by

2040.

9 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/1835 of 20 July 2026 on the application of penalties provided

for in Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction of

methane emissions in the energy sector in relation to obligations of importers (OJ L, 2026/1835,

24.7.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2026/1835/oj). 10 Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing

the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU)

2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’) (OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, p. 1, ELI:

http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1119/oj).

EN 4 EN

The proposal for Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 built on the Union’s 2030 Climate Target Plan

and its impact assessment. The Climate Target Plan highlighted the need to step up reductions

in methane emissions.

In October 2020, the Commission adopted an EU strategy to reduce methane emissions),

setting out measures to cut methane emissions in the EU, including in the energy sector, and

internationally.

This proposal does not amend the substantive rules of Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 and

maintains its objectives. The proposal also responds to concerns expressed by a number of

Member States and the oil, gas and coal sectors, by providing additional flexibility for

operators and Member States to fully comply with the Regulation’s objectives.

• Consistency with other Union policies

This proposal is complementary to action taken in the fields of agriculture and waste to reduce

methane emissions.

2. LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY

• Legal basis

The legal basis for this proposal is Article 192(1) of the Treaty of the Functioning of the

European Union (TFEU). In accordance with Article 191 and 192(1) TFEU, the European

Union is to contribute to the pursuit, inter alia, of the following objectives: (i) preserving,

protecting and improving the quality of the environment; (ii) promoting measures at

international level to deal with regional or worldwide environmental problems; and, in

particular, (iii) combating climate change. Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 is based on

Article 192(1) TFEU.

• Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence)

The proposed initiative is consistent with the principle of subsidiarity. Amendment of

Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 to provide this additional flexibility cannot be achieved by the

Member States themselves.

• Proportionality

The proposal is consistent with the principle of proportionality. It does not go beyond what is

necessary to achieve the Union’s objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-

effective manner, and provides operators and Member States with flexibility on compliance

while maintaining the Regulation’s objectives and level of ambition.

• Choice of the instrument

The proposal amends Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 only as regards providing an additional

flexibility. Therefore it should follow the same form of the existing legislative instrument.

3. RESULTS OF EX-POST EVALUATIONS, STAKEHOLDER

CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

• Ex-post evaluations/fitness checks of existing legislation

No evaluation is necessary for the proposal, since it only provides temporary flexibility for

operators and Member States to comply with their obligations.

EN 5 EN

• Stakeholder consultations

The Commission has held extensive discussions with stakeholders since the beginning of the

crisis in the Middle East regarding the impact of the importer obligations on the energy

supplies to the Union.

• Collection and use of expertise

The proposal has been drafted following a process of internal scrutiny of existing obligations.

• Impact assessment

The proposal concerns targeted amendments to Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 only to provide

importers and, for certain obligations, Union producers with additional flexibility as regards

compliance with their obligations by postponing those obligations by one year. It does not

change the level of ambition of the Regulation and does not introduce any new requirements

for Member States or operators.

• Regulatory fitness and simplification

Compared with the current Regulation, the proposal is not expected to increase administrative

costs. In addition, it is not increasing the complexity of the legal framework.

• Fundamental rights

The proposal respects fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular

by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union11. In particular, it maintains the

objective of a high level of environmental protection in accordance with the principle of

sustainable development, as laid down in Article 37 of the Charter.

4. BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS

The legislative financial statement setting out the implications for budgetary, human and

administrative resources was attached to the proposal which led to the adoption of Regulation

(EU) 2024/1787.

5. OTHER ELEMENTS

• Implementation plans and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements

This proposal does not change the substance of the rules. The implementation assessment

remains the same as for the proposal which led to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2024/1787.

• Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal

Article 1(1) amends Article 28(1) and Article 28(2).

Article 1(2) amends Article 29(1) and Article 29(2).

11 Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (OJ C 326, 26.10.2012, p. 391, ELI:

http://data.europa.eu/eli/treaty/char_2012/oj).

EN 1 EN

2026/0325 (COD)

Proposal for a

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 on the reduction of methane emissions in the

energy sector as regards the postponement of certain obligations

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular

Article 192(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee,

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions,

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure,

Whereas:

(1) Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 of the European Parliament and of the Council aims to

reduce methane emissions in the energy sector1. It establishes obligations for importers

of crude oil, natural gas and coal to the Union to provide, as of 5 May 2025,

information to the relevant competent authorities of the Member States on measures

undertaken by exporters to the Union and by third-country producers on measurement,

reporting, verification and mitigation of methane emissions, in particular on the

application of regulatory or voluntary measures to control methane emissions.

(2) Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 also requires importers to demonstrate and report, as of

1 January 2027, that contracts concluded or renewed after 4 August 2024 for the

supply of crude oil, natural gas or coal produced outside the Union are subject to

monitoring, reporting and verification measures that are equivalent to those set out in

the Regulation at the level of the producer.

(3) Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 also requires Union producers and importers to report, by

5 August 2028 and every year thereafter, on the methane intensity of crude oil, natural

gas or coal placed on the Union market and, by 5 August 2030 and every year

thereafter, to demonstrate that the methane intensity is below the maximum intensity

values established in accordance with Article 29(5) and (6) of the Regulation.

(4) The Commission has taken substantial steps to facilitate the implementation of

Regulation (EU) 2024/1787, cooperating with Member States and stakeholders. In

particular, the Commission established an Informal Expert Group on the Reduction of

1 Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on the

reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/942 (OJ L,

2024/1787, 15.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1787/oj).

EN 2 EN

Methane Emissions in the Energy Sector, which also hosts the Network of Competent

Authorities, created pursuant to Article 5(3) of the Regulation to foster cooperation

and enable regular exchanges on best practices among competent authorities. The

Commission also adopted a standardisation request to develop European standards to

ensure harmonised implementation and create a common technical framework. The

Commission will continue to take all necessary measures to implement Regulation

(EU) 2024/1787 and adopt the remaining implementing and delegated acts.

(5) In addition, the Commission has recently published recommendations on compliance

solutions2 and on the application of penalties3. These have contributed further clarity

and support to Member States and operators alike on how to implement the

Regulation. The Recommendation on compliance solutions sets out how to

demonstrate compliance with the import requirements, especially in complex supply

chains. In parallel, the Recommendation on the application of penalties provides

Member States with guidance on the application of Article 33(2) of Regulation (EU)

2024/1787 in the context of the current energy crisis.

(6) The global energy situation continues to be highly volatile and unpredictable, and

energy prices remain very high. The Union should therefore secure reliable and

continued fossil fuel imports. Although Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 does not impose

restrictions on energy imports to the Union, full compliance with the Regulation’s

requirements will require additional time, and importers may face challenges in

supplying energy to the Union as of 1 January 2027. Additional time is needed to start

applying those requirements in order to allow third countries, Member States,

producers, importers, operators and traders to prepare fully, including, to allow them

to establish the necessary mechanisms, so as to be in a position to fully comply with

their obligations.

(7) Therefore, the obligations established by Article 28(1) and (2) and Article 29(1) and

(2) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 for importers and Union producers should be

postponed by one year.

(8) The extended timeline enables Member States to complete adoption of their national

penalty regimes as a matter of priority and by national accreditation bodies to accredit

verifiers in line with the requirements of the Regulation. It also provides national

competent authorities with additional time to assess and recognise compliance solution

providers for compliance with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 and the

criteria of the Recommendation on compliance solutions.

(9) During the period of postponement, the Commission will closely monitor the

implementation of the Regulation, as well as the security of supply situation. Any

issues regarding implementation will be taken into account in the context of the

upcoming review of the Regulation which expressly requires the Commission to

assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the Regulation in establishing transparent

and accurate measurement, reporting and verification rules. According to Article 36(1)

of Regulation (EU) 2024/1787, this review is due by 1 January 2028, including the

2 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/1834 of 20 July 2026 on optional model clauses developed

pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction

of methane emissions in the energy sector and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/942 (OJ L, 2026/1834,

24.7.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2026/1834/oj). 3 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/1835 of 20 July 2026 on the application of penalties provided

for in Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction of

methane emissions in the energy sector in relation to obligations of importers (OJ L, 2026/1835,

24.7.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2026/1835/oj).

EN 3 EN

requirement for the Commission to submit a report to the European Parliament and the

Council.

(10) Since the objective of this Regulation, namely to postpone the date of application of

Article 28(1) and (2) and Article 29(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1787, cannot

be achieved by the Member States but can only be achieved at Union level, the Union

may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in

Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of

proportionality as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is

necessary in order to achieve that objective.

(11) Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Amendments to Regulation (EU) 2024/1787

Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 is amended as follows:

1. Article 28 is amended as follows:

(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘By 31 May 2029 and every year thereafter, importers shall demonstrate, and report in

accordance with Article 27(1), to the competent authorities of the Member State in which they

are established that the contracts concluded or renewed on or after 4 August 2024 for the

previous calendar year’s supply of crude oil, natural gas or coal produced outside the Union

cover only crude oil, natural gas or coal that is subject to monitoring, reporting and

verification measures applied at the level of the producer that are equivalent to those set out in

this Regulation.’;

(b) in paragraph 2, the second subparagraph is replaced by the following:

‘By 31 May 2029 and every year thereafter, importers shall annually inform the competent

authorities of the Member State in which they are established of the results of such efforts for

the previous calendar year, as part of the information to be provided pursuant to Article 27(1)

and, in case of failure, provide sound justification to those competent authorities for such

failure and set out the actions that they have undertaken as part of those efforts.’;

(2) Article 29 is amended as follows:

(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘By 5 August 2029 and by 31 May every year thereafter, for the supply contracts concluded or

renewed on or after 4 August 2024, Union producers and, pursuant to Article 27(1), importers

shall report to the competent authorities of the Member State in which they are established the

methane intensity of the production of crude oil, natural gas and coal placed by them on the

Union market in the previous calendar year, calculated in accordance with the methodology

set out pursuant to paragraph 4 of this Article.

For supply contracts concluded before 4 August 2024, Union producers and, pursuant to

Article 27(1), importers shall undertake all reasonable efforts to report to the competent

authorities of the Member State in which they are established the methane intensity of the

production of crude oil, natural gas and coal placed by them on the Union market in the

previous calendar year, calculated in accordance with the methodology set out pursuant to

EN 4 EN

paragraph 4 of this Article. By 5 August 2029 and by 31 May every year thereafter, Union

producers and importers placing crude oil, natural gas or coal on the Union market shall

report annually to the competent authorities of the Member State in which they are established

of the results of such efforts.’;

(b) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:

‘By 5 August 2031 and by 31 May every year thereafter, Union producers and importers

placing crude oil, natural gas and coal on the Union market under supply contracts concluded

or renewed after 5 August 2030 shall demonstrate to the competent authorities of the Member

State in which they are established that the methane intensity of the production of crude oil,

natural gas and coal placed by them on the Union market in the previous calendar year,

calculated in accordance with the methodology set out pursuant to paragraph 4, is below the

maximum methane intensity values established in accordance with paragraph 6 to promote the

global methane emissions reductions for those products.’.

Article 2

Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in

the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in the Member States in

accordance with the Treaties.

Done at Brussels,

For the European Parliament For the Council

The President The President