FQD and its amendments

Directive 2009/30/EC amending Directive 98/70/EC on environmental standards for fuel (Fuel Quality Directive) aims at:
•    further tightening environmental quality standards for a number of fuel parameters,
•    enabling more widespread use of ethanol in petrol and
•    introducing a mechanism for reporting and reduction of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from fuel
•    Reduction in life cycle GHG emissions from energy supplied. Binding target of 6% as first step while leaving open the possibility for increasing the future level of ambition to 10%.
•    To that effect, in a 2012 review, the Commission will need to assess a further increase of the ambition level of 2% from other technological advances, such as the supply of electricity for use in transport. A further 2% is envisaged to be achieved by the use of CDM credits for flaring reductions not linked to EU oil consumption.
•    Incorporation of sustainability criteria for biofuels used to meet GHG reduction requirement. Creation of specific Committee jointly with the RED to coordinate the energy and environment aspects in future development of biofuel sustainability criteria.
•    Reduction of sulphur content of inland waterway fuel in one step to 10ppm by 1 January 2011.
•    Phasing in of 10% Ethanol (E10) petrol: To avoid potential damage to old cars, continued marketing of petrol containing maximum 5% ethanol guaranteed until 2013, with the possibility of an extension to that date if needed.
•    Derogations for petrol vapour pressure for cold summer conditions and blending in of ethanol are subject to Commission approval following an assessment of the socio-economic and environmental impacts, in particular on air quality.
•    Increase of allowed biodiesel content in diesel to 7% (B7) by volume, with an option for more than 7% with consumer info.

Amendment of the Fuel Quality Directive and Renewable Energy Directive

On 9 September 2015, Directive (EU) 2015/1513, the "iLUC Directive", was published in the Official Journal of the European Community. This directive limits the way Member States can meet the target of 10% for renewables in transport fuels by 2020, bringing to an end many months of debate. There will be a cap of 7% on the contribution of biofuels produced from 'food' crops, and a greater emphasis on the production of advanced biofuels from waste feedstocks. Member States must then include the law in national legislation by 2017, and show how they are going to meet sub-targets for advanced biofuels.