03/09/2021 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 3 September, the European Commission approved the extension of the tax exemption for biofuels in Sweden for one year (from 1 January to 31 December 2022) as being in line with EU state aid rules. In the Commission’s view, the measure is necessary and appropriate to stimulate the production and consumption of domestic and imported biofuels, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels in transport, without unduly distorting competition in the single market. The exemption, the institution further states, “can only be granted when operators demonstrate that they meet the sustainability criteria” set out in the revised (2018/2001) EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). (DG)