Press Release: Excise duties: the Commission proposes extending or abolishing exemptions for petroleum products

The European Commission has adopted a proposal for a Council Decision on the extension or abolition of exemptions from, or reductions in, excise duties on mineral oils used for specific purposes. This adjustment involves the immediate or impending abolition of 25 derogations, a two-year extension - subject to detailed analyses with regard to state-aids and with no further additional extensions - of the derogations concerning reductions in excise duties for diesel used by commercial vehicles, an extension of only 2 years for 14 other derogations, again subject to in-depth analyses with regard to state-aids, and a 5-year extension for 61 derogations. The background to the proposal is the Directive on the harmonisation of the structures of excise duties on mineral oils (92/81/EEC). Based on the principle of a single rate per product/utilisation, this Directive fixes minimum rates of excise duty on petroleum products and also provides for compulsory and optional exemptions. Under the Directive the Member States may also apply for further exemptions or reductions for specific policy considerations. When the Commission presents its proposals, it must take account of the effects of the derogations on the operation of the internal market, possible distortions of competition and the effects on environmental protection, transport and energy policies.

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