COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 93/12/EEC of 23 March 1993 relating to the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels

Id-Direttiva tal-Kunsill 93/12/KEE

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

tat-23 ta' Marzu 1993

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community and in particular Article 100 thereof,

dwar il-kontenut tal-kubrit ta' ċerti karburanti likwidi

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

IL-KUNSILL TAL-KOMUNITAJIET EWROPEJ,

In cooperation with the European Parliament (2),

Wara li kkunsidra t-Trattat li jistabbilixxi l-Komunità Ekonomika Ewropea, u b'mod partikolari l-Artikolu 100 tiegħu,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),

Wara li kkunsidra l-proposta mill-Kummissjoni [1],

Whereas in order to improve air quality with regard to sulphur dioxide and other emissions, the Community has to take measures to reduce progressively the sulphur content of gas oil used for self-propelling vehicles, including aircraft and vessels, and for heating, industrial and marine purposes;

B'kooperazzjoni mal-Parlament Ewropew [2],

Whereas, under Article 2 (1) and Article 5 (1) of Directive 75/716/EEC (4), the provisions in force in the Member States lay down two limits with respect to the sulphur content of liquid fuels; whereas these provisions differ from one Member State to another;

Wara li kkunsidra l-opinjoni tal-Kunsill Ekonomiku u Soċjali [3],

Whereas these differences oblige Community oil companies to adjust the maximum sulphur content of their products, depending on which Member State is being supplied; whereas such differences thus constitute a barrier to trade in these products, thereby directly affecting the establishment and functioning of the single market;

Billi sabiex tittejjeb il-kwalità ta' l-arja fir-rigward tad-diossidu tal-kubrit u emissjonijiet oħrajn, il-Komunità għandha tieħu miżuri biex tnaqqas progressivament il-kontenut tal-kubrit taż-żejt tal-gass użat minn vetturi self-propelled, inkluż inġenji ta' l-ajru u bastimenti, u għal skopijiet ta' tisħin, industrijali u marini;

Whereas, in addition, Article 6 of Directive 75/716/EEC provides that in the light of any new information available the Commission is to submit a report to the Council accompanied by an appropriate proposal with a view to the establishment of a single value;

Billi, taħt l-Artikolu 2(1) u l-Artikolu 5(1) tad-Direttiva 75/716/KEE [4], id-dispożizzjonijiet fis-seħħ fl-Istati Membri jipprovdu żewġ limiti fir-rigward tal-kontenut tal-kubrit ta' karburanti likwidi; billi dawn id-dispożizzjonijiet huma differenti minn Stat Membru għall-ieħor;

Whereas successive action programmes of the European Communities on the environment (5) stress the importance of preventing and reducing air pollution;

Billi dawn id-differenzi jobbligaw il-kumpanniji taż-żejt tal-Komunità biex jaġġustaw il-kontenut massimu tal-kubrit tal-prodotti tagħhom, skond liema Stat Membru qed ikun fornut; billi dawn id-differenzi għalhekk jikkostitwixxu ostakolu għall-kummerċ, b'hekk jaffettwaw direttament it-twaqqif u l-funzjonament tas-suq ewlieni;

Whereas fuel quality plays an important role in reducing air pollution by vehicle eshaust emissions;

Billi, kif ukoll, l-Artikolu 6 tad-Direttiva 75/716/KEE jipprovdi li fid-dawl ta' kull informazzjoni ġdida disponibbli il-Kummissjoni għandha tissottometti rapport lill-Kunsill akkumpanjat minn proposta xierqa biex ikun stabbilit valur waħdieni;

Whereas, in addition, by virtue of Decision 81/462/EEC (6) the Community is a contracting party to the Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution, which provides in particular for the development of strategies and policies to limit and, as far as possible, gradually reduce and prevent air pollution;

Billi programmi ta' azzjoni suċċessivi tal-Komunitajiet Ewropej fuq l-ambjent [5] jisħqu fuq l-importanza tal-prevenzjoni u t-tnaqqis tat-tniġġis ta' l-arja;

Whereas reducing the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels serves to further one of the Community's objectives, which is to preserve, protect and improve the quality of the environment and to contribute towards protecting human health, by rectifying environmental damage at source;

Billi l-kwalità tal-karburant għandha rwol importanti fit-tnaqqis tat-tniġġis ta' l-arja mill-emissjonijiet ta' l-exhaust tal-vetturi;

Whereas, in accordance with Directive 75/716/EEC, several Member States have already fixed a value of 0,2 % by weight;

Billi, kif ukoll, bis-saħħa tad-Deċiżjoni 81/462/KEE [6] il-Komunità hija parti kontraenti fil-Konvenzjoni fuq it-tniġġis ta' l-arja f'medda wiesgħa transfruntiera, li tipprovdi partikolarment għall-iżvilupp ta' strateġiji u politiki biex jillimitaw u, kemm jista' jkun possibbli, inaqqsu gradwalment u jipprevjenu t-tniġġis ta' l-arja;

Whereas Member States must take steps to ensure that diesel fuels of a maximum sulphur content of 0,05 % by weight are gradually made available;

Billi t-tnaqqis tal-kontenut tal-kubrit ta' ċerti karburanti likwidi iservi biex imexxi l-quddiem wieħed mill-oġġettivi tal-Komunità, li huwa biex tkun preservata, protetta u tittejjeb il-kwalità ta' l-ambjent u biex jikkontribwixxi għall-protezzjoni ta' saħħet il-bniedem, billi titranġa l-ħsara ambjentali f'ras il-għajn;

Whereas, in order to attain the particulate emission levels set in specific Community Directives, the sulphur content of diesel fuels placed on the market within the Community may not exceed 0,2 % by weight as from 1 October 1994 and 0,05 % by weight as from 1 October 1996; whereas the Member States must take appropriate measures to achieve that objective;

Billi, skond id-Direttiva 75/716/KEE, diversi Stati Membri diġa iffissaw valur ta' 0,2 % fil-piż;

Whereas the increasing use of gas oil for motor vehicles implies further efforts with regard to the quality of diesel fuel, in order to limit the adverse effects of such use on air quality; whereas setting a maximum sulphur content of 0,05 % by weight to apply from 1 October 1996 for diesel fuel allows the industries concerned sufficient time to make the technical adjustments required;

Billi l-Istati Membri għandhom jieħdu passi biex jiżguraw li karburanti diesel ta' kontenut massimu ta' kubrit ta' 0,05 % fil-piż isiru gradwalment disponibbli;

Whereas the other uses of gas oils and medium oils require an effort to be made to reduce air pollution, wherein account should be taken of their contribution having regard to air quality improvement and environmental costs and benefits; whereas the Commission should submit to the Council, which will take a decision thereon by 31 July 1994 at the latest, a proposal introducing, by 1 October 1999 at the latest, a lower limit for the sulphur content and setting new limit values for aviation kerosenes;

Billi, biex jintlaħqu l-livelli ta' emissjonijiet ta' particulate stabbiliti f'Direttivi speċifiċi tal-Komunità, il-kontenut tal-kubrit ta' karburanti diesel mqiegħda fis-suq ġewwa l-Komunità ma tistax teċċedi 0,2 % fil-piż mill-1 ta' Ottubru 1994 u 0,05 % fil-piż mill-1 ta' Ottubru 1996; billi l-Istati Membri għandhom jieħdu passi xierqa biex jintlaħaq dak l-iskop;

Whereas a sudden change in crude oil supplies leading to an increase in average sulphur content may, in view of available desulphurization capacity, jeopardize supplies to consumers in a Member State; whereas it would therefore seem advisable to authorize that Member State to derogate under certain conditions from the sulphur content limits laid down in respect of its own market;

Billi ż-żieda fl-użu ta' żejt tal-gass għall-vetturi bil-mutur jimplika sforzi oħra fir-rigward tal-kwalità tal-karburant diesel, biex ikunu limitati l-effetti ħżiena ta' dan l-użu fuq il-kwalità ta' l-arja; billi t-twaqqif ta' kontenut massimu ta' kubrit ta' 0,05 % fil-piż li japplika mill-1 ta' Ottubru 1996 għall-karburant diesel jippermetti l-industriji partikolari biżżejjed żmien biex isiru l-aġġustamenti tekniċi meħtieġa;

Whereas the introduction of a low sulphur content level in marine gas oils for sea-going ships raises specific technical and economic problems for Greece; whereas a derogation of limited duration in favour of Greece should not depress trade in marine gas oils since Greek refinery installations currently cover no more than domestic demand for gas oils and medium oils; whereas exports for final combustion from Greece to another Member State must comply with the provisions of the Directive applicable in that Member State; whereas Greece could be granted a five-year derogation before introducing marine gas oils with the required sulphur content; whereas this period will end on 30 September 1999;

Billi l-użi oħra ta' żjut tal-gas u żjut medji jeħtieġu li jsir sforz biex jitnaqqas it-tniġġis ta' l-arja, fejn għandha titqies il-kontribuzzjoni tagħhom fir-rigward tat-titjib fil-kwalità ta' l-arja u l-ispejjeż u l-benefiċċji ambjentali; billi l-Kummissjoni għandha tissottometti lill-Kunsill, li għandu jieħu deċiżjoni fuq hekk mhux aktar tard sal-31 ta' Lulju 1994, proposta li tintroduċi, sa mhux aktar tard mill-1 ta' Ottubru 1999, limitu aktar baxx għall-kontenut ta' kubrit u t-twaqqif ta' valuri tal-limitu ġodda għall-keroseni (pitrolju) ta' l-avjazzjoni;

Whereas spot checks should be carried out to ascertain the sulphur content of gas oils and medium oils placed on the market; whereas for this purpose provision should be made for a uniform method based on the best available technology,

Billi bidla f'daqqa fil-provisti ta' żejt mhux raffinat li jwassal għal żieda fil-kontenut tal-kubrit medju jista', minħabba l-kapaċità ta' desulferizzazzjoni disponibbli, jipperikola provisti lill-konsumaturi fi Stat Membru; billi għalhekk jidher kunsiljabbli li jkun awtorizzat li Stat Membru jidderoga taħt ċerti kondizzjonijiet mil-limiti tal-kontenut ta' kubrit provduti fir-rigward tas-suq tiegħu;

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Billi l-introduzzjoni ta' kontenut baxx ta' kubrit fiż-żjut tal-gas marini għal bastimenti tat-tbaħħir tqajjem problemi speċifiċi tekniċi u ekonomiċi għall-Greċja; billi deroga ta' durata limitata favur il-Greċja m'għandiex tiddeprimi l-kummerċ fiż-żjut tal-gas marini billi l-istallazzjonijiet tar-raffinar Griegi bħalissa jkopru mhux iżjed mid-domanda domestika għaż-żjut tal-gas u żjut medji; billi esportazzjonijiet għall-ħruq finali mill-Greċja lejn Stat Membri ieħor għandhom iħarsu d-dispożizzjonijiet tad-Direttiva applikabbli f'dak l-Istat Membru; billi l-Greċja tista' tingħata deroga ta' ħames snin qabel l-introduzzjoni ta' żjut tal-gas marini bil-konenut ta' kubrit meħtieġ; billi dan il-perjodu għandu jispiċċa fit-30 ta' Settembru 1999;

Billi għandhom isiru verifiki fuq il-post biex ikun ivverifikat il-kontenut tal-kubrit taż-żjut tal-gass u żjut medji mpoġġija fis-suq; billi għal dan il-għan għandha ssir dispożizzjoni għal metodu uniformi bbażat fuq l-aħjar teknoloġija disponibbli,

Article 1

ADOTTA DIN ID-DIRETTIVA:

1. For the purposes of this Directive:

Artikolu 1

(a) 'gas oil' means any petroleum product falling under CN code 2710 00 69, or any petroleum product which, by reason of its distillation limits, falls within the category of middle distillates intended for use as fuel and of which at least 85 % by volume, including distillation losses, distils at 350° C;

1. Għall-iskopijiet ta' din id-Direttiva:

(b) 'diesel fuels' means gas oils used for self-propelling vehicles as referred to in Directive 70/220/EEC (7) and Directive 88/77/EEC (8).

(a) ‘żejt tal-gass' tfisser kull prodott taż-żejt (petroleum) li jaqa' taħt il-kodiċi NM 2710 00 69, jew kull prodott taż-żejt li, minħabba l-limiti tad-distillazzjoni tiegħu, jaqa' f'kategorija tad-distillati medji maħsuba għall-użu bħala karburant u li 85 % minnu ta' lanqas fil-volum, inkluż telf mid-distillazzjoni, jiddistilla f'350º C;

2. This Directive shall not apply to gas oils:

(b) ‘karburanti diesel' tfisser żjut tal-gass użat għall-vetturi self-propelled kif msemmija fid-Direttiva 70/220/KEE [7] u d-Direttiva 88/77/KEE [8].

- contained in the fuel tanks of vessels, aircraft or motor vehicles crossing a frontier between a third country and a Member State;

2. Din id-Direttiva ma tapplikax għal żjut tal-gass:

- intended for processing prior to final combustion.

- li jkunu jinsabu fit-tankijiet ta' bastimenti, inġenji ta' l-ajru jew vetturi bil-mutur li jaqsmu l-fruntjiera bejn pajjiż terz u Stat Membru;

- maħsubin għall-ipproċessar qabel l-aħħar ħruq.

Article 2

Artikolu 2

1. Member States shall, in order to reach the particulate emission levels laid down in specific Community Directives, prohibit the marketing of diesel fuels in the Community if their sulphur compound content, expressed in sulphur (hereinafter 'sulphur content'), exceeds:

1. L-Istati Membri għandhom, biex jilħqu l-livelli ta' emissjonijiet ta' particulates provduti f'Direttivi speċifiċi tal-Komunità, jipprojbixxu t-tqegħid fis-suq ta' karburanti diesel fil-Komunità jekk il-kontenut tal-kompost tal-kubrit, espress f'kubrit (minn hawn ‘il quddiem "kontenut tal-kubrit"), jeċċedi:

- 0,2 % by weight as from 1 October 1994,

- 0,2 % fil-piż mill-1 ta' Ottubru 1994,

- 0,05 % by weight as from 1 October 1996.

- 0,05 % fil-piż mill-1 ta' Ottubru 1996.

Member States shall take steps to ensure that the diesel fuels referred to in the first paragraph with a sulphur content not exceeding 0,05 % by weight are gradually made available.

L-Istati Membri għandhom jieħdu passi biex jiżguraw li karburanti diesel msemmija fl-ewwel paragrafu b'kontenut ta' kubrit li ma jeċċedix 0,05 % fil-piż isiru gradwalment disponibbli.

2. Member States shall prohibit the marketing in the Community of gas oils other than, or used for purposes other than, those referred to in paragraph 1 with the exception of aviation kerosene, as from 1 October 1994, if their sulphur content exceeds 0,2 % by weight.

2. L-Istati Membri għandhom jipprojbixxu t-tpoġġija fil-Komunità ta' żjut tal-gass li ma jkunx dawk, jew użati għall-għanijiet li ma jkunux dawk msemmija fil-paragrafu 1 bl-eċċezzjoni ta' kerosene (pitrolju) ta' l-avjazzjoni, mill-1 ta' Ottubru 1994, jekk il-kontenut tal-kubrit jeċċedi 0,2 fil-piż.

Before 1 January 1994, the Commission shall indicate, in a report to the Council, what progress has been made in controlling sulphur dioxide emissions. At the same time it shall submit to the Council a proposal, in the more general framework of the policy to improve air quality, for transition to a second phase, prescribing a lower limit by 1 October 1999 at the latest, and setting new limit values for aviation kerosene.

Qabel l-1 ta' Jannar 1994, il-Kummissjoni għandha tindika, f'rapport lill-Kunsill, x'progress ikun sar fil-kontroll ta' emissjonijiet ta' diossidu tal-kubrit. Fl-istess ħin għandha tissottometti lill-Kunsill proposta, fil-qafas aktar ġenerali tal-politika biex tittejjeb il-kwalità ta' l-arja. għat-transizzjoni għat-tieni fażi, li tippreskrivi limitu aktar baxx sa' mhux aktar tard mill-1 ta' Ottubru 1999, u t-twaqqif ta' valuri tal-limitu ġodda għall-kerosene (pitrolju) ta' l-avjazzjoni.

The Council shall act by a qualified majority by 31 July 1994 at the latest.

Il-Kunsill għandu jaġixxi b'maġġoranza kwalifikata sa mhux aktar tard mill-31 ta' Lulju 1994.

3. If, as the result of a sudden change in the supply of crude oil or petroleum products, it becomes difficult for a Member State to apply the limit on the maximum sulphur content of gas oil, that Member State shall inform the Commission thereof. The Commission may authorize a higher limit to be applicable within the territory of that Member State for a period not exceeding six months, and shall notify its decision to the Council. Any Member State may contest that Decision before the Council within one month. The Council, acting by a qualified majority, may adopt a different decision within two months.

3. Jekk, bħala riżultat ta' bidla f'daqqa fil-provista ta' żejt mhux raffinat jew prodotti taż-żejt (petroleum), issir diffiċli għal Stat Membru biex japplika l-limitu fuq il-kontenut massimu ta' kubrit taż-żejt tal-gass, dak l-Istat Membru għandu jinforma lill-Kummissjoni b'dan. Il-Kummissjoni għandha tawtorizza limitu ogħla li għandu jkun applikabbli ġewwa t-territorju ta' dak l-Istat Membru għal perjodu li ma jeċċedix sitt xhur, u għandha tinnotifika d-deċiżjoni tagħha lill-Kunsill. Kull Stat Membru jista' jikkontesta dik id-Deċiżjoni quddiem il-Kunsill fi żmien xahar. Il-Kunsill, waqt li jaġixxi b'maġġoranza kwalifikata, jista' jadotta deċiżjoni differenti fi żmien xahrejn.

By way of derogation the Government of Greece may, up to 30 September 1999, authorize marketing of gas oil for marine use with a sulphur content in excess of 0,2 % by weight.

Bħala deroga l-Gvern tal-Greċja jista', sat-30 ta' Settembru 1999, jawtorizza t-tqegħid fis-suq taż-żejt tal-gass għall-użu marin b'kontenut tal-kubrit li jeċċedi 0,2 fil-piż.

Artikolu 3

Article 3

L-ebda Stat Membru ma jista', mid-dati ta' l-applikazzjoni provduti fl-Artikolu 2(1) u (2), jipprojbixxi, jirrestrinġi jew jipprevjeni t-tqegħid fis-suq taż-żjut tal-gass fuq il-bażi tal-kontenut tal-kubrit, jekk dawk iż-żjut tal-gass iħarsu l-ħtiġijiet ta' din id-Direttiva.

No Member State may, as from the dates of application laid down in Article 2 (1) and (2), prohibit, restrict or prevent the placing on the market of gas oils on the grounds of their sulphur content, if those gas oils comply with the requirements of this Directive.

Artikolu 4

1. L-Istati Membri għandhom jieħdu l-passi meħtieġa kollha biex ikun verifikat il-kontenut tal-kubrit taż-żjut tal-gass li jitqiegħdu fis-suq.

Article 4

2. Il-metodu ta' riferenza adottat għad-determinazzjoni tal-kontenut tal-kubrit taż-żjut tal-gass li jitpoġġew fis-suq għandu jkun dak definit b'metodu ISO 8754. L-interpretazjoni statistika tar-riżultati tal-verifiki magħmula biex ikun determinat il-kontenut tal-kubrit taż-żjut tal-gass mpoġġija fis-suq għandhom jitpoġġew fis-suq skond l-istandard ISO 4259 (edizzjoni 1979).

1. Member States shall take all necessary measures to check by sampling the sulphur content of gas oils which are placed on the market.

Artikolu 5

2. The reference method adopted for determining the sulphur content of gas oils which are placed on the market shall be that defined by ISO method 8754. The statistical interpretation of the results of the checks made to determine the sulphur content of the gas oils placed on the market shall be made in accordance with ISO standard 4259 (1979 edition).

Sa mill-1 ta' Ottubru 1994, id-Direttiva 75/716/KEE għandha tinbidel b'din id-Direttiva.

Artikolu 6

Article 5

L-Istati Membri għandhom idaħħlu fis-seħħ il-liġijiet, ir-regolamenti u d-dispożizzjonijiet amministrattivi meħtieġa biex iħarsu din id-Direttiva qabel l-1 ta' Ottubru 1994. Għandhom jinfurmaw minnufih il-Kummissjoni bihom.

As from 1 October 1994, Directive 75/716/EEC shall be replaced by this Directive.

Meta l-Istati Membri jadottaw dawn il-miżuri, dawn għandhom ikun fihom referenza għal din id-Direttiva jew għandhom ikunu akkumpanjati b'dik ir-referenza fl-okkażjoni tal-pubblikazzjoni uffiċjali tagħhom. Il-metodi li bihom issir din ir-referenza għandhom jiġu stabbiliti mill-Istati Membri.

Artikolu 7

Article 6

Din id-Direttiva hija indirizzata lill-Istati Membri.

Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive before 1 October 1994. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.

When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such a reference shall be laid down by the Member States.

Magħmula fi Brussel, fit-23 ta' Marzu 1993.

Għall-Kunsill

Article 7

Il-President

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

S. Auken

Done at Brussels, 23 March 1993.

[1] ĠU Ċ 174, 5.7.1991, p. 18 uĠU Ċ 120, 12.5.1992, p. 12.

For the Council

[2] ĠU Ċ 94, 13.4.1992, p. 209 uĠU Ċ 337, 21.12.1992.

The President

[3] ĠU Ċ 14, 20.1.1992, p. 17.

S. AUKEN

[4] ĠU L 307, 27.11.1975, p. 22. Id-Direttiva kif emendata bid-Direttiva 87/219/KEE (ĠU L 91, 3.4.1987, p. 19).

[5] ĠU Ċ 112, 20.12.1973, p. 1,ĠU Ċ 139, 13.6.1977, p. 1 uĠU Ċ 46, 17.2.1983, p. 1.

(1) OJ No C 174, 5. 7. 1991, p. 18 and OJ No C 120, 12. 5. 1992, p. 12.

[6] ĠU L 171, 27.6.1981, p. 11.

(2) OJ No C 94, 13. 4. 1992, p. 209 and OJ No C 337, 21. 12. 1992.

[7] ĠU L 76, 6.4.1970, p. 1. Direttiva kif l-aħħar emendata bid-Direttiva 91/441/KEE (ĠU l 242, 30.8.1991, p. 1).

(3) OJ No C 14, 20. 1. 1992, p. 17.

[8] ĠU L 36, 9.2.1988, p. 1. Id-Direttiva kif l-aħħar emendata bid-Direttiva 91/542/KEE (ĠU L 295, 25.10.1991, p. 1).

(4) OJ No L 307, 27. 11. 1975, p. 22. Directive as amended by Directive 87/219/EEC (OJ No L 91, 3. 4. 1987, p. 19).

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(5) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1, OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1 and OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1.

(6) OJ No L 171, 27. 6. 1981, p. 11.

(7) OJ No L 76, 6. 4. 1970, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/441/EEC (OJ No l 242, 30. 8. 1991, p. 1).

(8) OJ No L 36, 9. 2. 1988, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/542/EEC (OJ No L 295, 25. 10. 1991, p. 1).