The Sulphur Content of Fuels Directive

(1999/32/EC)

European Commission, DG Environment

Industrial Emissions, Air and Industrial Emissions Unit

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Purpose

• Reduce emissions of SO2 resulting from the combustion of certain fuels which significantly contribute to air pollution on significantly contribute to air pollution on land and are harmful for human health and the environment

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Scope

• Sulphur content of fuel – standards:

• Global: now 3.5%, 2020: 0.5%

• Sulphur Emission Control Areas ("SECA"): now 1%, 2015: 0.1%

• At berth: 0.1%

• Passenger ships: now 1.5%, 2020: 0.5%

• Fuel availability clause

• Emission abatement methods: Testing/Use/Approval

• Monitoring of compliance and reporting 3

Context

• Directive 1999/32/EC recently amended by Directive 2012/33/EU

• Entry into force: 17/12/2012 • Entry into force: 17/12/2012

• Transposition deadline: 18/06/2014

• Purpose of the amendment: alignment with Marpol Annex VI of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)

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Context –The Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution … called for action at the IMO

• To address growing contribution of shipping emissions to air quality impacts on land…

• Emission reduction from shipping superseded by growth of sector

• SO2 and NOx from ships forecasted to exceed land-based sources by 2020.

• Taking into account the significant efforts made already related to land-based sources

• With further action increasingly costly

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The Marpol Annex VI 2008 AmendmentDelivering the hoped for progress…

6• Reduced contribution of SO2 emissions to air pollution impact over land

The Marpol Annex VI 2008 AmendmentStricter standards

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Alignement of Directive with Marpol Annex VI

• Regulation 4: Full alignment with the IMO provision on equivalent compliance methods + 3,5% cap

• Regulation 14: Full alignment with the IMO sulphur provisions + 0,5% standard in 2020

• Regulation 18: Full alignment with the IMO provisions on • Regulation 18: Full alignment with the IMO provisions on fuel availability

• Compliance: strengthened provisions on reporting by MS, Fuel sampling and analysis

• Alignment of technical standards

• Reporting and review obligations for the Commission

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For more information

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