Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 04/03/2019, 4 March 2019

Main results

Tyres labelling

The Council adopted a general approach on the revision of the regulation on tyres labelling. The revision updates the energy and safety performance labels for tyres and extends the scope of the labelling system to tyres for heavy duty vehicles. New requirements regarding the display of the label, including for display and online selling, as well as strengthened enforcement provisions will improve the visibility for customers and ensure that they are fully informed when making purchasing decisions. Negotiations with the European Parliament are expected to begin in autumn.

• Cleaner, safer, quieter tyres: labels to become more visible for consumers (press release, 4 March 2019)

Strategic vision for a climate-neutral economy

Energy ministers held a policy debate in public session on the Commission communication "A Clean Planet for all: A European strategic long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate-neutral economy". This is one of a series of debates on this topic held in different Council formations over the course of the current semester. The discussion focused on energy-related aspects of the strategic vision. It was guided by a set of questions proposed by the Presidency, which address structural changes needed in the energy system, new technology solutions, and the need for a "fair transition".

We had a very constructive debate on the energy-related issues of the strategic long-term vision for a climate neutral economy. The switch to clean energy is an important element in the EU's climate policy. We have already achieved a lot in the last years to make this transition a reality, not least the Clean Energy package that was wrapped up last year. Today we considered how to build on this progress and go further in the future. Anton Anton, Minister for Energy of Romania and chair of the Council

• Communication from the Commission "A Clean Planet for all"

Other items on the agenda

Under any other business, the Council was informed on the state of play on the gas directive. A provisional  political agreement with the European Parliament on this file was found on 12 February 2019 and endorsed by EU ambassadors on 20 February 2019.

• Gas directive: Provisional agreement on new rules for gas pipelines to and from third countries (press release, 13/02/2019)

The presidency also informed the ministers on the state of play of the negotiations on the Connecting Europe Facility.