The new rules, already confirmed by EU governments in February, will make it easier to compare the environmental performance of different transport modes across the EU, helping consumers and businesses make informed choices and reducing the risk of greenwashing.
Transport companies will not be obliged to calculate their GHG emissions. However, if they choose to do so, for instance for reporting, contractual or marketing purposes, or when required by other EU rules, they will have to apply the common EU methodology. It counts emissions from vehicle use and energy provision during transport operations. To enhance accuracy, the EU rules prioritise the use of primary data over estimates or default values of GHG emissions, while providing incentives for operators that measure their emissions directly.
Support for small and medium-sized companies
To reduce the administrative and financial burden on companies, not least for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), MEPs secured a commitment from the Commission to develop a public, simple and free-of-charge calculation tool, with an instruction manual. The Commission has four years to develop this tool.
Preparing for life-cycle emissions
The single methodology will not cover GHG emissions over the full life cycle of transport services. MEPs ensured that within four years of new rules starting to apply, the Commission will assess the possibility of expanding the EU methodology to include life-cycle emissions, such as those from vehicle manufacturing, energy production, maintenance, use and end-of-life, once sufficient data and international progress allow. This assessment will guide future updates of the rules.
Nex stThe new rules will enter into force on the 20th day following their publication in the EU’s Official Journal. With some exceptions, they will apply four and a half years after the regulation’s entry into force.
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