Council Directive 85/536/EEC of 5 December 1985 on crude-oil savings through the use of substitute fuel components in petrol

COUNCIL  DIRECTIVE
of 5 December 1985
on crude-oil savings through the use of substitute fuel components in petrol
(85/536/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas, pursuant to Article 2 of the Treaty, the Community has as its task to promote throughout the Community a harmonious development of economic activities, a continuous and balanced expansion and an increase in stability;
Whereas, in the present energy situation, a reduction in the Community's dependence upon imported crude oil will contribute effectively to the attainment of these objectives;
Whereas the reduction and elimination of lead in petrol may be partly offset by the use of substitute fuel components in petrol and whereas such components may also help to reduce over-consumption of crude oil necessary in refining to produce lead-free petrol;
Whereas petrol used for the propulsion of vehicles powered by internal combustion spark-ignited engines is an important sector of oil consumption in the Community;
Whereas the use of crude oil to manufacture petrol for vehicles propelled by internal combustion spark-ignited engines can be reduced through blending hydrocarbon petrol with substitute fuel components;
Whereas the increasingly complex refining process and the creation of petro-chemical products require that such products be intended, as far as possible, for a proper use and whereas it is desirable to establish rules to that effect;
Whereas these substitute fuel components can be produced from raw materials other than crude oil both inside and outside the Community, thereby broadening the raw materials base for the production of fuels for use in internal combustion spark-ignited engines;
Whereas the distribution and use of petrol blended with substitute fuel components as defined by this Directive require no, or only minor, modifications to existing petrol distribution systems and no modification to existing vehicles propelled by internal combustion spark-ignited engines designed to operate on petrol;
Whereas the distribution and combustion of blends as defined by this Directive carries no safety, health or environmental risks significantly different from those of petrol currently sold for motor vehicles in the Community;
Whereas the objective of saving crude oil makes it desirable that no obstacles be placed in the way of the manufacture, distribution, sale and use of suitable blends for the propulsion of vehicles powered by internal combustion spark-ignited engines;
Whereas cross-border traffic requires that motorists be offered suitable fuels for their motor vehicles everywhere in the Community and that potential users be able to
distinguish between fuels covered by this Directive and others which can be used only in specifically designed or adapted vehicles;
Whereas scientific and technical developments may make it appropriate to modify the Annex to this Directive; whereas a procedure should be set up so that such modifications may be made;
Whereas the Treaty has not provided the necessary powers other than those of Article 235,