European Commission proposes delaying methane import rules until May 2029

The European Commission proposed on October 14, 2026, to delay new methane monitoring requirements for fossil fuel imports by more than two years, Euronews reported. Under the updated proposal, fossil fuel companies will have until May 2029, instead of January 2027, to demonstrate that their imported supplies meet EU standards. [1]

According to Euronews, the proposed extension follows pressure from industry representatives and member governments who expressed concern over compliance costs and energy security. The decision falls short of requests from certain EU nations that had called for a three-year delay. [1]

Environmental groups strongly condemned the decision, Euronews reported. The organizations warned that delaying the regulations will do little to reduce energy prices, and accused officials in Brussels of using energy security and competitiveness as an excuse to weaken the Green Deal. [1]