In adopting the report by Mr Noël MAMERE (V, F), the European Parliament calls for tighter
mandatory minimum specifications than those proposed by the European Commission for petrol and
diesel. As regards the sulphur content of diesel, it proposes the coexistence, during an initial period,
of two types of diesel, 'dirty' diesel containing 100 ppm of sulphur and 'clean' diesel containing 30
ppm, with the former being phased out after 2005. Parliament introduces a derogation enabling
Member States facing serious economic difficulties in the period after 1 January 2000 to continue
to authorize, until 1 January 2005 at the latest, the placing on the market on their territory of fuels
which comply with other specifications. Separate specifications are called for in respect of fuels
(diesel, LPG, CNG) used by buses, taxis and commercial vehicles, which are largely responsible for
urban pollution. Parliament also calls for a Commission proposal clearing the way for the active use
of tax incentives (adjusted excise duties) in order to facilitate the introduction of improved fuels.
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