Commission calls on BULGARIA, CZECHIA and ROMANIA to comply with the EU rules on emergency stocks of crude oil and petroleum products

Commission decided to send letters of formal notice to Bulgaria, Czechia and Romania requesting to take action to ensure full application of the EU legislation on oil stocks. The Oil Stocks Directive (Council Directive 2009/119/EC) requires that Member States maintain minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products equivalent to at least 90 days of average daily net imports or 61 days of average daily inland consumption, whichever of the two quantities is greater.

The Directive had to be transposed into the national law by the Member States by 31 December 2012. Given the role of oil in the EU's energy mix, the EU's strong external dependence for supply of crude oil and petroleum products and the geopolitical uncertainty in many producer regions, it is vital to guarantee consumers' access to petroleum products.

The Commission observed that these three Member States have repeatedly, some as long as since January 2013, failed to meet their obligation to maintain minimum emergency stocks of crude oil. The Commission therefore concluded that the low level of stocks observed are not due to exceptional circumstances, but rather represents a structural non-compliance with the Directive. The Member States concerned have two months to reply to the arguments raised by the Commission. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to send a reasoned opinion.

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