EIA claims maladministration by the European Commission in the implementation of the EU Methane Regulation

LONDON: The London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has today filed a formal complaint with the European Ombudswoman, alleging maladministration by the European Commission in the implementation of the EU Methane Regulation.

The complaint comes off the back of two major decisions taken by the Commission, the first being its recommendation that member states suspend the application of financial penalties for infringements until 2030 and the second to delay entirely the measures on fossil fuel imports.

These delays have effectively led to the reopening of the legislation, with the European Parliament now calling for a longer delay.

EIA argues that these decisions undermine legislation adopted by the European Parliament and Council in 2024, without sufficient evidence to justify the changes.

EIA Senior Climate Campaigner Jack Corscadden said: “Rather than ensuring that the EU Methane Regulation is implemented as agreed, the Commission has responded to pressure from the fossil fuel industry by weakening enforcement and proposing further delays, without providing credible evidence to justify these decisions.”

The Commission justified the suspension of penalties on “acute geopolitical and economic disruptions” leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz since 27 February 2026.

Although the proposal to delay the import requirements by one year was driven by concerns around market volatility and high energy prices, EIA argues that the Commission has failed to establish a credible link between implementing the Regulation and any risk to the EU’s energy supply or materially higher energy prices. The Regulation already contains provisions allowing member states to account for genuine energy supply concerns.

Corscadden said: “The current energy supply challenges result from geopolitical events, not EU climate legislation. There is no credible evidence that the Methane Regulation threatens EU energy security or materially increases energy prices. By reopening the text without a factual basis, the Commission is undermining the integrity of both the legislative process and the EU rule of law.”

The European Ombudswoman investigates complaints about EU institutions for allegedly failing to follow the law or good administrative practice, known as maladministration. She will now assess the complaint and, if she finds maladministration, will recommend how to address it.

Corscadden added: “The available evidence shows the Commission’s maladministration. We are confident that the Ombudswoman will find that the Commission’s actions have undermined the objectives of the Regulation and go against the interests of European citizens.

“The EU Methane Regulation is a landmark piece of legislation which can deliver significant climate benefits while strengthening Europe’s energy security. Weakening its implementation would undermine years of progress and send the wrong signal to fossil fuel producers around the world.

“We call on the Commission to move ahead with implementation and withdraw the proposal for a delay to the import requirements.”

CONTACTS FOR MEDIA

• Jack Corscadden, EIA UK Senior Climate Campaigner, via jackcorscadden[at]eia-international.org
• Paul Newman, EIA UK Senior Press & Communications Officer, via press[at]eia-international.org

EDITORS’ NOTES

1. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) investigates and campaigns against environmental crime and abuse. Our undercover investigations expose transnational wildlife crime, with a focus on elephants, pangolins and tigers, and forest crimes such as illegal logging and deforestation for cash crops such as palm oil. We work to avert climate catastrophe by investigating the criminal trade in refrigerant gases, strengthening and enforcing regional and international agreements that tackle fossil fuels and climate super-pollutants, including ozone-depleting substances, hydrofluorocarbons and methane, and advocating corporate and policy measures to promote sustainable cooling. We work to safeguard global marine ecosystems by addressing the threats posed by plastic pollution, bycatch and commercial exploitation of whales, dolphins and porpoises. Our findings are used in hard-hitting reports to campaign for new legislation, improved governance and more effective enforcement. Our field experience is used to provide guidance to enforcement agencies and we form partnerships with local groups and activists and support their work through hands-on training.

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Tel: +44 (0) 20 7354 7960

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