French President Emmanuel Macron sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on September 18, 2026. He requested temporary easing of fuel quality specifications and a one-year delay for methane emissions reporting requirements.
Diesel prices in France reached €2.39 per liter. In mid-to-late September 2026, between 14% and 16% of French filling stations reported fuel shortages. Europe currently sources 36% of its kerosene and 18% of its diesel from the Middle East.
The proposal suggests loosening fuel density, volatility, and desulfurization thresholds. It also seeks to increase biodiesel blending from the B7 standard to B10. Refiners estimate these changes could boost domestic production by 5% to 20%.
Macron requested moving the methane compliance deadline from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2028. The measure aims to mitigate legal risks for importers unable to verify data from regions facing supply disruptions since early 2026.
The European Commission has not yet issued a public response to the request. Macron framed these proposals as emergency measures, comparing them to temporary exemptions granted to energy companies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
