Brussels, 22/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - Closely related to the energy and climate change package (see EUROPE 9341), on 24 January, the Commission will propose changes to directive 98/70/EC on the quality of petrol and diesel fuels with a view to reducing polluting and greenhouse gas emissions from the use of road and non-road fuels, and to implementing the Community fuel strategy. This directive was amended in 2003, but only on sulphur levels. The new amendments planned in the draft revised directive are: - 2009 confirmed as the deadline for the limit of 10 parts per million (ppm) of sulphur in diesel; - a reduction in the maximum content of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in diesel to 8%, also from 2009; - the creation of a special blend with a higher authorised oxygen content (notably up to 10% of ethanol) to allow the use of a greater amount of biofuels in petrol. The marketing of this blend would be allowed in petrol stations where the sale of the blend is clearly marked and which have the facilities to recover the steam. The Commission says these amendments will encourage the development of the biofuels market while avoiding the risks of damaging current vehicles and increased emissions of nitrogen dioxide or volatile organic ingredients. The Commission intends, this year, to propose: - the compulsory installation of steam recovery systems in petrol stations; - from 2009, compulsory checks on greenhouse gases from the energy used for transport. From 2011, these emissions will have to be reduced by 1% per year, one of the things which will encourage the development of appropriate fuels. (eh)