Article 1 
1. For the purposes of this Directive: (a) 'gas oil' means any petroleum product falling under CN code 2710 00 69, or any petroleum product which, by reason of its distillation limits, falls within the category of middle distillates intended for use as fuel and of which at least 85 % by volume, including distillation losses, distils at 350° C; (b) 'diesel fuels' means gas oils used for self-propelling vehicles as referred to in Directive 70/220/EEC (7) and Directive 88/77/EEC (8). 2. This Directive shall not apply to gas oils: - contained in the fuel tanks of vessels, aircraft or motor vehicles crossing a frontier between a third country and a Member State; - intended for processing prior to final combustion. Article 2 1. Member States shall, in order to reach the particulate emission levels laid down in specific Community Directives, prohibit the marketing of diesel fuels in the Community if their sulphur compound content, expressed in sulphur (hereinafter 'sulphur content'), exceeds: - 0,2 % by weight as from 1 October 1994, - 0,05 % by weight as from 1 October 1996. Member States shall take steps to ensure that the diesel fuels referred to in the first paragraph with a sulphur content not exceeding 0,05 % by weight are gradually made available. 2. Member States shall prohibit the marketing in the Community of gas oils other than, or used for purposes other than, those referred to in paragraph 1 with the exception of aviation kerosene, as from 1 October 1994, if their sulphur content exceeds 0,2 % by weight. Before 1 January 1994, the Commission shall indicate, in a report to the Council, what progress has been made in controlling sulphur dioxide emissions. At the same time it shall submit to the Council a proposal, in the more general framework of the policy to improve air quality, for transition to a second phase, prescribing a lower limit by 1 October 1999 at the latest, and setting new limit values for aviation kerosene. The Council shall act by a qualified majority by 31 July 1994 at the latest. 3. If, as the result of a sudden change in the supply of crude oil or petroleum products, it becomes difficult for a Member State to apply the limit on the maximum sulphur content of gas oil, that Member State shall inform the Commission thereof. The Commission may authorize a higher limit to be applicable within the territory of that Member State for a period not exceeding six months, and shall notify its decision to the Council. Any Member State may contest that Decision before the Council within one month. The Council, acting by a qualified majority, may adopt a different decision within two months. By way of derogation the Government of Greece may, up to 30 September 1999, authorize marketing of gas oil for marine use with a sulphur content in excess of 0,2 % by weight. Article 3 No Member State may, as from the dates of application laid down in Article 2 (1) and (2), prohibit, restrict or prevent the placing on the market of gas oils on the grounds of their sulphur content, if those gas oils comply with the requirements of this Directive. Article 4 1. Member States shall take all necessary measures to check by sampling the sulphur content of gas oils which are placed on the market. 2. The reference method adopted for determining the sulphur content of gas oils which are placed on the market shall be that defined by ISO method 8754. The statistical interpretation of the results of the checks made to determine the sulphur content of the gas oils placed on the market shall be made in accordance with ISO standard 4259 (1979 edition). Article 5 As from 1 October 1994, Directive 75/716/EEC shall be replaced by this Directive. Article 6 Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive before 1 October 1994. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such a reference shall be laid down by the Member States. Article 7 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 23 March 1993. For the Council The President S. AUKEN (1) OJ No C 174, 5. 7. 1991, p. 18 and OJ No C 120, 12. 5. 1992, p. 12. (2) OJ No C 94, 13. 4. 1992, p. 209 and OJ No C 337, 21. 12. 1992. (3) OJ No C 14, 20. 1. 1992, p. 17. (4) OJ No L 307, 27. 11. 1975, p. 22. Directive as amended by Directive 87/219/EEC (OJ No L 91, 3. 4. 1987, p. 19). (5) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1, OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1 and OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. (6) OJ No L 171, 27. 6. 1981, p. 11. (7) OJ No L 76, 6. 4. 1970, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/441/EEC (OJ No l 242, 30. 8. 1991, p. 1). (8) OJ No L 36, 9. 2. 1988, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/542/EEC (OJ No L 295, 25. 10. 1991, p. 1).
Article 2 
1. Member States shall, in order to reach the particulate emission levels laid down in specific Community Directives, prohibit the marketing of diesel fuels in the Community if their sulphur compound content, expressed in sulphur (hereinafter 'sulphur content'), exceeds: - 0,2 % by weight as from 1 October 1994, - 0,05 % by weight as from 1 October 1996. Member States shall take steps to ensure that the diesel fuels referred to in the first paragraph with a sulphur content not exceeding 0,05 % by weight are gradually made available. 2. Member States shall prohibit the marketing in the Community of gas oils other than, or used for purposes other than, those referred to in paragraph 1 with the exception of aviation kerosene, as from 1 October 1994, if their sulphur content exceeds 0,2 % by weight. Before 1 January 1994, the Commission shall indicate, in a report to the Council, what progress has been made in controlling sulphur dioxide emissions. At the same time it shall submit to the Council a proposal, in the more general framework of the policy to improve air quality, for transition to a second phase, prescribing a lower limit by 1 October 1999 at the latest, and setting new limit values for aviation kerosene. The Council shall act by a qualified majority by 31 July 1994 at the latest. 3. If, as the result of a sudden change in the supply of crude oil or petroleum products, it becomes difficult for a Member State to apply the limit on the maximum sulphur content of gas oil, that Member State shall inform the Commission thereof. The Commission may authorize a higher limit to be applicable within the territory of that Member State for a period not exceeding six months, and shall notify its decision to the Council. Any Member State may contest that Decision before the Council within one month. The Council, acting by a qualified majority, may adopt a different decision within two months. By way of derogation the Government of Greece may, up to 30 September 1999, authorize marketing of gas oil for marine use with a sulphur content in excess of 0,2 % by weight. Article 3 No Member State may, as from the dates of application laid down in Article 2 (1) and (2), prohibit, restrict or prevent the placing on the market of gas oils on the grounds of their sulphur content, if those gas oils comply with the requirements of this Directive. Article 4 1. Member States shall take all necessary measures to check by sampling the sulphur content of gas oils which are placed on the market. 2. The reference method adopted for determining the sulphur content of gas oils which are placed on the market shall be that defined by ISO method 8754. The statistical interpretation of the results of the checks made to determine the sulphur content of the gas oils placed on the market shall be made in accordance with ISO standard 4259 (1979 edition). Article 5 As from 1 October 1994, Directive 75/716/EEC shall be replaced by this Directive. Article 6 Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive before 1 October 1994. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such a reference shall be laid down by the Member States. Article 7 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 23 March 1993. For the Council The President S. AUKEN (1) OJ No C 174, 5. 7. 1991, p. 18 and OJ No C 120, 12. 5. 1992, p. 12. (2) OJ No C 94, 13. 4. 1992, p. 209 and OJ No C 337, 21. 12. 1992. (3) OJ No C 14, 20. 1. 1992, p. 17. (4) OJ No L 307, 27. 11. 1975, p. 22. Directive as amended by Directive 87/219/EEC (OJ No L 91, 3. 4. 1987, p. 19). (5) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1, OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1 and OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. (6) OJ No L 171, 27. 6. 1981, p. 11. (7) OJ No L 76, 6. 4. 1970, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/441/EEC (OJ No l 242, 30. 8. 1991, p. 1). (8) OJ No L 36, 9. 2. 1988, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/542/EEC (OJ No L 295, 25. 10. 1991, p. 1).
Article 3 
No Member State may, as from the dates of application laid down in Article 2 (1) and (2), prohibit, restrict or prevent the placing on the market of gas oils on the grounds of their sulphur content, if those gas oils comply with the requirements of this Directive. Article 4 1. Member States shall take all necessary measures to check by sampling the sulphur content of gas oils which are placed on the market. 2. The reference method adopted for determining the sulphur content of gas oils which are placed on the market shall be that defined by ISO method 8754. The statistical interpretation of the results of the checks made to determine the sulphur content of the gas oils placed on the market shall be made in accordance with ISO standard 4259 (1979 edition). Article 5 As from 1 October 1994, Directive 75/716/EEC shall be replaced by this Directive. Article 6 Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive before 1 October 1994. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such a reference shall be laid down by the Member States. Article 7 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 23 March 1993. For the Council The President S. AUKEN (1) OJ No C 174, 5. 7. 1991, p. 18 and OJ No C 120, 12. 5. 1992, p. 12. (2) OJ No C 94, 13. 4. 1992, p. 209 and OJ No C 337, 21. 12. 1992. (3) OJ No C 14, 20. 1. 1992, p. 17. (4) OJ No L 307, 27. 11. 1975, p. 22. Directive as amended by Directive 87/219/EEC (OJ No L 91, 3. 4. 1987, p. 19). (5) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1, OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1 and OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. (6) OJ No L 171, 27. 6. 1981, p. 11. (7) OJ No L 76, 6. 4. 1970, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/441/EEC (OJ No l 242, 30. 8. 1991, p. 1). (8) OJ No L 36, 9. 2. 1988, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/542/EEC (OJ No L 295, 25. 10. 1991, p. 1).
Article 4 
1. Member States shall take all necessary measures to check by sampling the sulphur content of gas oils which are placed on the market. 2. The reference method adopted for determining the sulphur content of gas oils which are placed on the market shall be that defined by ISO method 8754. The statistical interpretation of the results of the checks made to determine the sulphur content of the gas oils placed on the market shall be made in accordance with ISO standard 4259 (1979 edition). Article 5 As from 1 October 1994, Directive 75/716/EEC shall be replaced by this Directive. Article 6 Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive before 1 October 1994. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such a reference shall be laid down by the Member States. Article 7 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 23 March 1993. For the Council The President S. AUKEN (1) OJ No C 174, 5. 7. 1991, p. 18 and OJ No C 120, 12. 5. 1992, p. 12. (2) OJ No C 94, 13. 4. 1992, p. 209 and OJ No C 337, 21. 12. 1992. (3) OJ No C 14, 20. 1. 1992, p. 17. (4) OJ No L 307, 27. 11. 1975, p. 22. Directive as amended by Directive 87/219/EEC (OJ No L 91, 3. 4. 1987, p. 19). (5) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1, OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1 and OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. (6) OJ No L 171, 27. 6. 1981, p. 11. (7) OJ No L 76, 6. 4. 1970, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/441/EEC (OJ No l 242, 30. 8. 1991, p. 1). (8) OJ No L 36, 9. 2. 1988, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/542/EEC (OJ No L 295, 25. 10. 1991, p. 1).
Article 5 
As from 1 October 1994, Directive 75/716/EEC shall be replaced by this Directive. Article 6 Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive before 1 October 1994. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such a reference shall be laid down by the Member States. Article 7 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 23 March 1993. For the Council The President S. AUKEN (1) OJ No C 174, 5. 7. 1991, p. 18 and OJ No C 120, 12. 5. 1992, p. 12. (2) OJ No C 94, 13. 4. 1992, p. 209 and OJ No C 337, 21. 12. 1992. (3) OJ No C 14, 20. 1. 1992, p. 17. (4) OJ No L 307, 27. 11. 1975, p. 22. Directive as amended by Directive 87/219/EEC (OJ No L 91, 3. 4. 1987, p. 19). (5) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1, OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1 and OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. (6) OJ No L 171, 27. 6. 1981, p. 11. (7) OJ No L 76, 6. 4. 1970, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/441/EEC (OJ No l 242, 30. 8. 1991, p. 1). (8) OJ No L 36, 9. 2. 1988, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/542/EEC (OJ No L 295, 25. 10. 1991, p. 1).
Article 6 
Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive before 1 October 1994. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such a reference shall be laid down by the Member States. Article 7 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 23 March 1993. For the Council The President S. AUKEN (1) OJ No C 174, 5. 7. 1991, p. 18 and OJ No C 120, 12. 5. 1992, p. 12. (2) OJ No C 94, 13. 4. 1992, p. 209 and OJ No C 337, 21. 12. 1992. (3) OJ No C 14, 20. 1. 1992, p. 17. (4) OJ No L 307, 27. 11. 1975, p. 22. Directive as amended by Directive 87/219/EEC (OJ No L 91, 3. 4. 1987, p. 19). (5) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1, OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1 and OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. (6) OJ No L 171, 27. 6. 1981, p. 11. (7) OJ No L 76, 6. 4. 1970, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/441/EEC (OJ No l 242, 30. 8. 1991, p. 1). (8) OJ No L 36, 9. 2. 1988, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/542/EEC (OJ No L 295, 25. 10. 1991, p. 1).
Article 7 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 23 March 1993. For the Council The President S. AUKEN (1) OJ No C 174, 5. 7. 1991, p. 18 and OJ No C 120, 12. 5. 1992, p. 12. (2) OJ No C 94, 13. 4. 1992, p. 209 and OJ No C 337, 21. 12. 1992. (3) OJ No C 14, 20. 1. 1992, p. 17. (4) OJ No L 307, 27. 11. 1975, p. 22. Directive as amended by Directive 87/219/EEC (OJ No L 91, 3. 4. 1987, p. 19). (5) OJ No C 112, 20. 12. 1973, p. 1, OJ No C 139, 13. 6. 1977, p. 1 and OJ No C 46, 17. 2. 1983, p. 1. (6) OJ No L 171, 27. 6. 1981, p. 11. (7) OJ No L 76, 6. 4. 1970, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/441/EEC (OJ No l 242, 30. 8. 1991, p. 1). (8) OJ No L 36, 9. 2. 1988, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/542/EEC (OJ No L 295, 25. 10. 1991, p. 1).