Reduction in the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels. Codification

The Committee on Legal Affairs adopted the report by Laura FERRARA (EFD, IT) on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to a reduction in the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels (codified text).

The committee recommended the European Parliament to adopt its position at first reading, taking over the Commission proposal as adapted to the recommendations of the Consultative Working Party of the legal services of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.

According to the Consultative Working Party of the legal services of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, the proposal in question contains a straightforward codification of the existing texts without any change in their substance.

The proposed Directive seeks 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.

In order to ensure coherence with international law as well as to secure proper enforcement of new globally established sulphur standards in the Union, the codified Directive should be in line with the revised Annex VI to MARPOL.