Joint letter: Integrating the EU Methane Regulation into the EU Simplification Agenda

Dan Jørgensen- Commissioner for Energy and Housing

Valdis Dombrovskis- Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification

European Commission

1 August 2025

Integrating the EU Methane Regulation into the EU Simplification Agenda

Dear Commissioner Jørgensen,

Dear Commissioner Dombrovskis,

We welcome the recent conclusions of the Energy Ministers at the 16 June 2025, which invited the European Commission to explore options for simplifying and easing the implementation of the Methane Regulation, including options under the forthcoming Omnibus energy. As noted, this is essential to "reduce the administrative burden on Member States, industry and citizens, and provide a level playing field for all operators […], while safeguarding the EU’s strategic autonomy, ensuring stability and predictability in the EU regulatory framework and that the ambition of already agreed legislation is not undermined”[1].

The undersigned fully endorse the objective of reducing methane emissions and have been actively and consistently engaged in this effort, including well before the Regulation was adopted. Our commitment to improving environmental performance across the energy value chain remains strong and unwavering.

At the same time, we strongly echo the concerns voiced by Member States during the Council meeting on 16^th of June regarding certain provisions in the Regulation. As highlighted by Member States, some requirements could have unintended consequences such as undermining the EU’s energy resilience and increasing both the cost and complexity of maintaining secure and diversified energy supplies, at a time when Europe’s energy system is undergoing significant transformation while phasing out Russian energy imports.

We commend the Commission’s efforts in facilitating dialogue through technical workshops and coordination meetings with Competent Authorities. However, as Member States have clearly articulated, the core challenges associated with the Methane Regulation - also unanimously acknowledged by gas industry representatives at the recent 39^th Madrid Forum and in ACER’s 2025 Monitoring Report - need to be addressed, through implementation measures, secondary legislation and, as outlined below, through targeted amendments of the primary legislation.

Within the current text, the Regulation imposes requirements without allowing sufficient time for obligated parties to take the necessary steps to achieve compliance. Several technical and operational solutions, necessary for feasible implementation, such as a proper instrument to certify comingled products, are yet to be deployed. Finally, all the elements required for proper implementation of the Regulation, including key secondary legislation and relevant CEN/ISO standards, are still missing.

To ensure the Regulation’s success in delivering its environmental objectives while remaining feasible in practice, targeted adjustments are necessary to:

• establishing alternative in primary legislation and flexible compliance pathways where MER sets technically unfeasible or disproportionate requirements (both domestic production and imports).
• Provide legal certainty regarding obligations and the necessary time and implementation flexibilities;
• Adjust disproportionate non-compliance penalty provisions (up to 20% of annual global turnover in case of legal person) according to the real implementation progress and existing compliance options;

Moreover, we call for consistent interpretation and implementation across all Member States.

We emphasize that these proposed adjustments are not intended to favour particular suppliers or national interests. Rather, their purpose is to ensure the EU’s regulatory framework strengthens rather than undermines its energy security, competitiveness, and strategic autonomy, particularly amid an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, while enabling obligated parties to comply with the rules set out in the Regulation.

Reaffirming our strong commitment to methane emission reductions, we respectfully urge the Commission to utilize all available means, including any potential Energy Omnibus to simplify the EU Methane Regulation and ease its implementation. These targeted adjustments will help achieve a balanced approach, effectively aligning environmental ambition with operational practicality, thus safeguarding both the integrity and feasibility of the Regulation.

We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss these recommendations with you in greater detail at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Liana Gouta, Director General, FuelsEurope

François-Régis Mouton de Lostalot, Managing Director, IOGP Europe   

Andreas Guth, Secretary General, Eurogas             

Laurent David, General Delegate, GIIGNL

[1] Presidency conclusions on strengthening the Energy Union through 16 June 2025

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