(1)

In its Decision 77/706/EEC (1), the Council decided to establish a mechanism for the setting of a Community target for a reduction in the consumption of primary sources of energy in the event of difficulties in the supply of crude oil and petroleum products.

(2)

In its Decision 79/639/EEC (2), the Commission laid down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Decision 77/706/EEC.

(3)

Decisions 77/706/EEC and 79/639/EEC establish complex procedures, entailing significant administrative burdens for both the Member States and the Commission, including various reporting obligations. Those procedures have not found any practical application.

(4)

In the event of a disruption in the supply of crude oil or petroleum products, emergency stocks can replace the missing volumes quickly and efficiently, without disturbing economic activity or hindering mobility. Therefore, emergency stocks are now considered as the main response tool to address a disruption in the supply.

(5)

Furthermore, Council Directive 2009/119/EC (3) set up a strengthened framework for emergency stocks, ensuring their availability and physical accessibility and establishing the procedures for their use.

(6)

Directive 2009/119/EC also requires Member States to have procedures in place to impose general or specific restrictions on consumption, inter alia, by allocating petroleum products to certain groups of users on a priority basis.

(7)

The Commission's Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme systematically reviews Union legal acts in order to identify opportunities for simplification and reducing regulatory burdens.

(8)

Decisions 77/706/EEC and 79/639/EEC should therefore be repealed,