Proposal for a Council Implementing Decision authorising Italy to apply, in determined geographical areas, reduced rates of taxation on gas oil and LPG used for heating purposes in accordance with Article 19 of Directive 2003/96/EC

Taxation of energy products and electricity in the EU is governed by Council Directive 2003/96/EC (hereafter referred to as the ‘Energy Taxation Directive’ or the ‘Directive’).

Pursuant to Article 19(1) of the Directive, in addition to the provisions foreseen in particular in the Articles 5, 15 and 17, the Council, acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission, may authorise any Member State to introduce further exemptions or reductions in excise duties for specific policy considerations.

The objective of this proposal is to allow Italy to apply, in certain particularly disadvantaged areas, reduced rates of taxation to gas oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used for heating purposes to partially off-set the high heating costs of residents in such geographical areas. The high heating costs are either due to very severe climate conditions or due to severe climate condition or insularity of such zones combined with difficult fuel procurement.

EUR-Lex: COM(2014)395: Follow the progress of this proposal through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2014:395:FIN

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