Ahead of the Energy Council on 16 December, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg published an information note on Tuesday 10 December to encourage political convergence within the EU in favour of higher standards for the export of petrol and diesel fuels to countries that are not members of the EU or the European Economic Area.
According to a number of studies, petrol and diesel exported from the ARA region (Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp) to the countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) contained levels of sulphur, benzene and manganese “that would be illegal in the EU”, said the three Benelux countries.
These high concentrations reportedly result in much higher emissions of particulates and atmospheric pollutants than the petrol and diesel used in Europe.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and African countries have long campaigned for similar standards for automotive fuels in all African countries, which are largely imported from Europe but governed by more flexible standards.
The Benelux Committee of Ministers recently adopted a recommendation on the export of cleaner fuels to third countries, with the aim of all Benelux exporting countries adapting their national legislation, if they have not already done so, by 1 January 2027 at the latest.
The three countries are therefore committed to mutual cooperation and wish to join forces with the European Commission and other EU countries to harmonise the applicable requirements and create a level playing field.
The note: https://aeur.eu/f/er1 (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)