Report from the Commission - Quality of petrol and diesel fuel used for road transport in the European Union - Second annual report (Reporting year 2003)
Date: 2005-03-02
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, air quality, diesel fuel, marketing, motor vehicle, petrol, pollution control, product quality, report

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 2.3.2005 
COM(2005) 69 final 

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION 

Quality of petrol and diesel fuel used for road transport in the European Union 

Second annual report  
(Reporting year 2003) 

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1. 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

Directive  98/70/EC1  sets  technical  specifications  on  health  and  environmental  grounds  for 
fuels  to  be  used  for  vehicles  equipped  with  positive-ignition  and  compression-ignition 
engines.  Directive  2003/17/EC2,  amending  98/70/EC,  requires  a  further  reduction  of  the 
sulphur content of petrol and diesel fuels.  

Violations of these specifications can lead to increased emissions and can damage the engine 
and  exhaust  after-treatment  systems.  In  order  to  ensure  compliance  with  the  fuel  quality 
standards  required  under  this  Directive,  Member  States  must  introduce  fuel  quality 
monitoring systems. 

Article  8  of  Directive  98/70/EC,  as  amended  by  Article  1(5)  of  Directive  2003/17/EC, 
requires the Commission to publish annually a report on the actual fuel quality in the different 
Member  States.  In  compliance  with  this  request  this  second  Commission  Report  briefly 
summarises  Member  States’  submissions  on  the  quality  of  petrol  and  diesel,  as  well  as  the 
volumes sold, for the year 20033. All Member States but France submitted national reports for 
2003.  

Fuel quality monitoring in 2003 shows that the specifications for petrol and diesel laid down 
in Directive 98/70/EC were generally met. Very few violations were identified. For petrol the 
main  parameters  of  concern  were  research  octane  number  (RON,  14+  samples),  summer 
vapour pressure (DVPE, 10+ samples) and distillation - evaporation at 100°C (6+ samples). 
For diesel the parameters of concern were sulphur content (5 samples), distillation 95% point 
(2  samples),  cetane  number  (1  sample),  density  (1  sample)  and  PAH  (1  sample).  The 
Commission  has  not  identified  any  negative  repercussions  on  vehicle  emissions  or  engine 
functioning  but  continues  to  urge  Member  States  to  take  action  in  order  to  ensure  full 
compliance.  Most  of  them  are  doing  so  already,  and  details  of  the  action  taken  by  Member 
States with regard to non-compliance are included, where provided, in the individual country 
chapters of the detailed reports for the years 2001 and 20024. The Commission will continue 
urging Member States to ensure full compliance with the fuel quality requirements laid down 
in the Directive.  

For  the  abatement  of  air  pollution  and  the  introduction  of  new  engine  technology  it  is 
important to note that the share of <10 ppm and <50 ppm sulphur fuels increased significantly 
from 2001 to 2003. Overall a general trend towards lower sulphur content in petrol and diesel 
fuel can be identified, as shown in Table 1. 

1 
2 
3 
4 

O.J. L 350 of 28.12.1998, p. 58 
O.J. L76 of 22.3.2003, p. 10 
The reporting years 2001 and 2002 are covered by COM(2004)310 final 
See http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/air/transport.htm#2 

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Table 1: Annual trend in average sulphur content in petrol and diesel fuels for the EU15 

Fuel / Year

Petrol 

Diesel 

2001

68 

223

2002

51 

169

*Excludes France. 

2003* 

2002*

31 

102 

39 

109 

The  fuel  quality  monitoring  systems  established  at  national  level  still  differ  considerably. 
However,  the  implementation  of  Directive  2003/17/EC  is  expected  to  promote  a  larger 
homogeneity in national monitoring systems and to improve the quality of reporting. 

2. 

INTRODUCTION 

The specifications for petrol and diesel sold in the European Union are laid down in Directive 
98/70/EC. Two sets of specifications are included in the Directive; the first entered into force 
on  1  January  2000  and  the  second  on  1  January  2005.  The  Directive  also  requires  Member 
States  to  report  summaries  of  the  quality  of  fuels  sold  in  their  territories.  For  reporting  on 
monitoring  carried  out  up  to  the  end  of  2003  the  format  laid  out  in  Commission  Decision 
2002/159/EC of 18 February 20025 should be applied. For reporting on monitoring from 2004 
on Member States must report in accordance with the new European Standard, EN 14274, or 
with  systems  of  equivalent  confidence.  Article  8  of  Directive  98/70/EC,  as  amended  by 
Article  1(5)  of  Directive  2003/17/EC,  requires  the  Commission  to  forward  the  results  of 
Member  States’  fuel  quality  reporting.  In  compliance  with  this  request  this  second 
Commission Report summarises the quality of petrol and diesel, as well as the volumes sold, 
in the Community for the year 2003. The reporting years 2001 and 2002 are covered by the 
first  Commission  Report6.  A  detailed  summary  of  the  national  reports  can  be  found  on  the 
Commission’s  web  page7.  Additional  reporting  requirements  laid  down  in  Directive 
2003/17/EC, e.g. the availability and geographical coverage of fuels with a maximum sulphur 
content of 10 mg/kg, are not covered by this report since Member States are not reporting in 
accordance  with  this  requirement  before  the  transposition  of  the  Directive  into  national 
legislation is completed, i.e. at best by mid 2005, covering the reporting year 2004. 

3. 

NATIONAL MONITORING SYSTEMS 

Different approaches have been made to implementing fuel quality monitoring systems across 
the EU. These range from simple sampling at a range of fuel retail stations at certain periods 
during  the  year  (e.g.  Netherlands)  through  to  integration  of  sampling  and  analysis  of  all 
refinery or imported batches into the requirements for distribution of fuels within the country, 
together with random sampling across the distribution chain throughout the year (e.g. Sweden 
and the UK). Several Member States’ systems were designed for other purposes – explaining 
some  of  the  variations  in  coverage  and  application  across  the  EU.  A  greater  degree  of 
homogeneity is expected from the 2004 reporting round, as Member States must now monitor 

5 
6 
7 

O.J. L 53 of 23.2.2002, p.30 
COM(2004)310 final 
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/air/transport.htm#2 

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and  report  in  accordance  to  the  new  European  Standard,  EN 142748.  In  fact,  some 
amendments  or  changes  have  already  been  made  to  monitoring  systems  since  the  2001  and 
2002  reporting  rounds,  with  Austria,  Finland,  Germany,  Italy,  the  Netherlands  and  Spain 
moving  their  systems  towards  compliance  with  the  recently  adopted  EN  14274.  Finland, 
Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK are already close to satisfying these specifications 
for  sampling  numbers  (see  Figure  1).  The  Directive  permits  alternative  monitoring  systems 
provided such systems ensure results of an equivalent confidence. However, it is not known 
exactly yet how Member States will make use of this possibility. 

Figure 1: 

Fuel Quality Monitoring sampling rate across the EU  

(average number of samples per fuel grade) 

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250

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2270

5045

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192

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46

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465

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Petrol 

Diesel 

4. 

2003 REPORTING 

4.1 Fuel Qualities and Volumes 

In 2003, while a wide variety of RON and sulphur grade fuels were available across the EU, 
the majority of sales comprised of RON95 (81%, with 37.5% regular, 24.8% low sulphur and 
18.9%  sulphur  free9),  see  Figure  2  and  the  Annex  for  full  details  by  Member  State  (no 
submission was provided by France for 2003 fuel quality monitoring). Of all petrol sold, 44% 
was regular sulphur grade, 28% low sulphur (<50 ppm) and 28% sulphur free (<10 ppm). Of 
all diesel sold the equivalent split was 45%, 30% and 25%. Overall a remarkable shift towards 
<10  ppm  and  <50  ppm  qualities  could  be  observed  in  2003.  This  signals  that  the  fuel 
providing industries are well prepared for meeting the 2005 deadline. 

8 

9 

EN 14274:2003 - Automotive fuels - Assessment of petrol and diesel quality - Fuel Quality Monitoring 
System 
The term “regular” is used for fuels with a sulphur content which is in accordance with Directive 98/70/EC 
(150 ppm for petrol and 350 ppm for diesel); the term “low sulphur” corresponds to a sulphur content of 50 
ppm; the term “sulphur free” to a sulphur content of 10 ppm  

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Figure 2: 

EU Fuel sales proportions by fuel type (%) 

Petrol Sales 

2003   Diesel Sales 

2003

Fuel Type 

Unleaded petrol min. RON=91 

Unleaded  petrol  min.  RON=91  (<50 
ppm S) 

Unleaded  petrol  min.  RON=91  (<10 
ppm S) 

Unleaded petrol min. RON=95 

Unleaded  petrol  min.  RON=95  (<50 
ppm S) 

Unleaded  petrol  min.  RON=95  (<10 
ppm S) 

Unleaded petrol 95=<RON<98 

Unleaded  petrol  95=<RON<98  (<50 
ppm S) 

Unleaded  petrol  95=<RON<98  (<10 
ppm S) 

Unleaded petrol RON>=98 

% 

0.4% 

0.6% 

8.2% 

37.5% 

24.8% 

18.9% 

3.7% 

0.9% 

0.0% 

2.3% 

Unleaded petrol RON>=98 (<50 ppm S) 

1.4% 

Unleaded petrol RON>=98 (<10 ppm S) 

1.2% 

Fuel Type 

Diesel 

% 

44.8% 

Diesel (<50 ppm sulphur) 

30.3% 

Diesel (<10 ppm sulphur) 

24.9% 

As in 2001 and 2002, the largest total sales of fuels in 2003 were in Germany, Italy, Spain and 
the  UK  (Figure  3).  While  diesel  sales  are  dominant  in  many  Member  States,  there  are  still 
variations  in  relative  sales  of  petrol  and  diesel.  For  example  in  Spain  and  the  UK  the 
differences are particularly pronounced, with diesel sales in Spain significantly higher than petrol 
sales while it is just the opposite in the UK.  

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Figure 3: 

National fuel sales by fuel type across the EU (million litres) 

40,000

35,000

30,000

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0

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IR

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SP

SE

UK

Total Petrol 

Total Diesel 

There also remained a variation in the number of grades of fuel reported to be available across 
the  EU  (Figure  4)  in  2003,  with  more  petrol  grades  available.  With  the  availability  of  low 
sulphur fuel grades in Greece, seven Member States defined national fuel grades for low (<50 
ppm) or sulphur free (<10 ppm) fuels. 

Figure 4: 

Number of fuel grades available nationally by fuel type across the EU 

5

4

3

2

1

0

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IR

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SP

SE

UK

Number of Petrol Grades 

Number of Diesel Grades 

In 2001 and 2002 low sulphur fuels were already available in many countries across the EU, 
even though mandatory introduction is not required until 2005 (see Figure 5 and 6). Italy and 
Portugal are yet to introduce separately marketed low (<50 ppm) or sulphur free (<10 ppm) 
fuels.  Compared  to  2002,  Greece  has  introduced  petrol  and  diesel  fuels  of  the  <50  ppm 
quality and Belgium has introduced a <50 ppm petrol grade. 

EN 

6 

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Figure 5: 

National sales of low sulphur petrol grades across the EU (%) 

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

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P

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t
a
N
%

AU

BE

DK

FI

FR

GE

GR

IR

IT

LU

NL

PT

SP

SE

UK

Petrol (regular) 

Petrol (<50 ppm sulphur) 

Petrol (<10 ppm sulphur) 

Sulphur free petrol was available in Austria, Germany, Ireland and Sweden, and Germany had 
moved completely over to low sulphur diesel. 

Figure 6: 

National sales of low sulphur diesel grades across the EU (%) 

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

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%

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BE

DK

FI

FR

GE

GR

IR

IT

LU

NL

PT

SP

SE

UK

Diesel (regular) 

Diesel (<50 ppm sulphur) 

Diesel (<10 ppm sulphur) 

In some Member States, although separate low or zero sulphur fuel grades or separate sales 
figures were not available in 2003, fuels complying with these criteria were available (eg in 
Denmark, Finland, Italy and the Netherlands). This can be seen in Figure 7, which presents 
the  average  sulphur  content  of  petrol  and  diesel  grades  by  Member  State  across  the  EU. 
(Average sulphur content is calculated from the mean sulphur content from reporting on the 
sampled fuels, weighted to the quantities of different petrol or diesel fuel grades sold). 

EN 

7 

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Figure 7: 

Average sulphur content of petrol and diesel grades across the EU (%) 

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

)

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Diesel l

Petrol limit

2005 lim

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UK

Petrol 

Diesel 

4.2 Compliance with Directive 98/70/EC in 2003 

In  terms  of  compliance  with  Directive  98/70/EC,  only  four  Member  States  (Luxembourg, 
Portugal, Spain and Sweden) were in complete compliance with limit values for both petrol 
and diesel for all samples (compared to five in 2001 and 2002). Only Luxembourg, Portugal 
and  Spain  also  provided  complete  reporting  across  the  range  of  parameters  specified  for 
monitoring in the Directive. 

In  2003,  nine  Member  States  reported  at  least  one  petrol  sample  that  was  non-compliant 
(compared to ten in 2001 and nine in 2002). Of these, the main parameters of concern were 
research octane number (RON, 14+ samples), summer vapour pressure (DVPE, 10+ samples) 
and  distillation  -  evaporation  at  100°C  (6+  samples).  However,  while  many  Member  States 
reported non-compliant samples, far fewer samples exceeded the limit values (and the limits 
of tolerance for test methods) than in previous years. 

For diesel reporting, five Member States reported at least one sample that was non-compliant 
(compared to four in 2001 and six in 2002). Of these, the parameters of concern were sulphur 
content (5 samples), distillation 95% point (2 samples), cetane number (1 sample), density (1 
sample)  and  PAH  (1  sample).  However,  although  several  Member  States  reported  non-
compliant  samples,  far  fewer  samples  exceeded the limit values (and the limits of tolerance 
for test methods) than in previous years. 

Table 2 summarises Member States’ compliance with Directive 98/70/EC for 2003 reporting 
in terms of the analysis of samples against limit values and the reporting format and content. 
The  quality  of  compliance  assessment  suffers  in  some  cases  from  incomplete  information 
provided  by  Member  States.  Details  of  action  taken  by  Member  States  with  regard  to  non-
compliance are included, where provided, in the individual country chapters of the detailed report 
for the year 200310. 

10 

See http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/air/transport.htm#2 

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Table 2: 

Summary of Member State compliance with 98/70/EC for 2003 reporting. 

Member State 

Limit value non-compliance 
(95% confidence limits) (1) 

Incomplete reporting 

Late 
report (2) 

Notes 

Petrol 

Diesel 

Petrol 

Diesel 

6 / 240 

X 
>10 / 4539  X 

1 / 100 
>2 / 5045 

X 
X 
X 

1 / 18 
1 / 18 
9 / 18 

Austria 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Finland 
France 
Germany 
Greece 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
Spain 
Sweden 
UK 

Total EU 

Notes: 

X 
X 
X 
X 

X 

X 
X 

X 

X 

8 

1 / 52 
3 / 207 

2 / 399 

8 / 80 
4 / 192 

1 / 100 

2 / 3003 

No report submitted for 2003 

X 
X 

X 

1 / 222 
2 / 91 

2 / 276 

(X) 

5 / 18 

X 

6 / 18 

4 

4 

0 

(3) 
(4) 
(5) 

(6) 

X 
X 

X 

X 

X 
X 

X 

X 

9 

(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 

(6) 

5. 

It is not possible to confirm whether limit values have been respected in all samples, where reporting data is incomplete.  
Directive 98/70/EC states that Member States should submit monitoring reports by no later than 30th June each year. 
Leaded petrol has been banned in Austria since 1993. Random testing of lead content ended in 1998, as samples always complied. 
Belgium’s submission did not state the total number of non-compliant samples; only the minimum number could be established. 
Denmark only measured parameters expected to have significant impact on the environment. For petrol: RON, MON, oxygen 
content and all oxygenates (except ethers/MTBE) were not measured. 
Portugal did not measure oxygenates other than ethers with more than 5 carbon atoms per molecule, stating that no other 
oxygenates are added to the fuel. 

CONCLUSIONS  

Monitoring  of  fuel  quality  in  2003  shows  that  the  specifications  for  petrol  and  diesel  laid 
down  in  Directive  98/70/EC  were  generally  met.  Very  few  violations  were  identified.  The 
Commission has no indication of any negative repercussions on vehicle emissions or engine 
functioning  due  to  these  violations.  However,  the  Commission  continues  to  urge  Member 
States to ensure full compliance with fuel quality requirements, having expressed its concern 
at a recent expert meeting and asked Member States to explain what measures are being taken 
to avoid future violations.  

The  recent  amendments  to  Directive  98/70/EC  (see  Directive  2003/17/EC)  included  a  new 
Article 9a which states "Member States shall determine the penalties applicable to breaches 
of the national provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive. The penalties determined must 
be effective, proportionate and dissuasive." It is expected that this will have a positive effect 
on compliance. 

It  should  be  noted  that  the  share  of  <10  and  <50  ppm  sulphur  fuels  increased  significantly 
from 2001 to 2003. 

The  fuel  quality  monitoring  systems  established  at  national  level  differ  considerably  and 
require  further  uniformity  in  order  to  provide  transparent  and  comparable  results.  The 
implementation of Directive 2003/17/EC is expected to improve the quality of reporting as it 
will  require  Member  States  to  report  on  monitoring  in  accordance  with  the  new  European 
Standard, EN 14274, or with systems of equivalent confidence. 

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ANNEX 

2003 EU fuel sales by fuel type (million litres) 

ID No. Fuel grade 

1  Unleaded petrol min. RON=91 

Austria Belgium Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Ireland  Italy  Luxembourg Netherlands Portugal Spain Sweden UK 
0 
0 

504 

15 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

EU15  EU15 

EU  % Total 

2 

Unleaded petrol min. RON=91 (<50 ppm 
S) 
Unleaded petrol min. RON=91 (<10 ppm 
S) 

3 
4  Unleaded petrol min. RON=95 

810 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 
0 

0 
1,946 

0 
2,062 

0 
2,147 

10,439 
0 

0 
3,513 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1,240  20,894

0 

0 
569 

0 

0 
0 

0 

0 
0 
185 
0 
583 
185 
0 
768 
0 
1,600 
0 
1,600 

0 

0 
7,404 

0 

0 
0 

0 

0 
344 
0 
0 
7,748 
0 
0 
7,748 
0 
8,535 
0 
8,535 

0 

0 
0 

0 

0 

0 
7,932

0 

0 
0 

0 

0 
0 

519 

0.4% 

810 
10,439 

0.6% 
7.2% 

0 

4,855  24,766 47,707 

32.9% 

0 
1,809 

0 
1,772

0 

0 

0 
0 

0 

0 
0 

31,580 
24,060 

21.8% 
16.6% 

1,166 

4,669 

3.2% 

0 
0 

0 
0 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

2,466  10,888

0 
657 
0 
0 

0 
0 
683 
0 
0 

0 
1,183
0 
0 

1,166 
0 
2,882 
1,783 
1,500 

0.8% 
0.0% 
2.0% 
1.2% 
1.0% 
5,538  25,932 55,777  38.5% 
35,338  24.4% 
2,466  10,888 5,538  25,932 35,999  24.8% 
5,712  24,814
127,115  87.7% 
37.0% 
25.0% 
20.6% 
150,029  82.7% 

0 
0 
21,306 67,217 
45,423 
3,799 
5,712  24,814 3,799  21,306 37,389 

0 
0 

0 
0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 
0 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

0 
0 
0 
0 

1,245  20,894

0 
0 

13 
872 
2,129  20,894
26,745
0 
0 

0 
2,286 
0 

2,286  26,745

1,946 

0 
0 

0 

0 
0 
0 
127 
0 
2,756 
127 
2,883 
6,868 
0 
0 
6,868 

0 

0 
0 

0 

0 
0 
904 
0 
1,946 
904 
0 
2,850 
0 
6,970 
0 
6,970 

0 

0 
0 

0 

0 
27 
0 
0 
2,593 
0 
0 
2,593 
0 
2,415 
0 
2,415 

0 

0 
0 

0 

0 
322 
0 
0 
2,469 
0 
0 
2,469 
2 
2,262 
0 
2,264 

5 

Unleaded petrol min. RON=95 (<50 ppm 
S) 
Unleaded petrol min. RON=95 (<10 ppm 
S) 

6 
7  Unleaded petrol 95=<RON<98 

8 

Unleaded petrol 95=<RON<98 (<50 ppm 
S) 
Unleaded petrol 95=<RON<98 (<10 ppm 
S) 

9 
10  Unleaded petrol RON>=98 
11  Unleaded petrol RON>=98 (<50 ppm S) 
12  Unleaded petrol RON>=98 (<10 ppm S) 

Petrol (regular) 
Petrol (<50 ppm sulphur) 
Petrol (<10 ppm sulphur) 
Total Petrol 

13  Diesel 
14  Diesel (<50 ppm sulphur) 
15  Diesel (<10 ppm sulphur) 

Total Diesel 

EN 

0 

0 

13 

23,188 
0 

0 
1,083 

872 
5 

0 

0 

0 
0 
0 
1,373 
0 
0 
35,001 
35,001 
0 
0 
33,591 
33,591 

0 
350 
12 
0 
4,945 
12 
0 
4,957 
3,077 
48 
0 
3,124 

10 
EN