Brussels, 26/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - The directive aimed at promoting the use of biofuels or other renewable fuels for transport was published in Official Journal L123 of 17th May. It entered into force on its day of publication. Member States now have until 31 December 2004 to transpose the directive into national law.
The directive requires each Member State to set targets for the progressive introduction of biofuels or other renewable fuels by 2010. These targets must be based on the directive's reference values: 2% of market share by December 2005 and 5.75% by December 2010. Member States which set less ambitious targets must justify these using objective criteria. Before 1st July of each year, Member States will submit a report to the Commission on the measures taken to promote the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels and the national resources allocated to the production of biomass for energy purposes other than transport. In their first report, Member States indicate their national targets for 2005, and in the 2006 report, their national targets for 2010.
By 31 December 2006 at the latest, the Commission will present to the Parliament and the Council an evaluation report on the progress achieved in the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels within the Member States and will decide if new legislative proposals are called for.