ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
04
the aegpl annual congress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 05
the Foreword by the president . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06
General Manager’s Remarks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07
Organisation – aegpl structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08
AEGPL’s Management Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
European Parliament election results overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
The new European Commission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
AEGPL: an ongoing journey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Our Work 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Energy and Environment Policy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
AEGPL Engagement with the European Parliament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2030 Framework for Climate & Energy Policies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
ENERGY TAXATION DIRECTIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
ECO-DESIGN DIRECTIVE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
© 2015 AEGPL, all rights reserved
Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of AEGPL
(Association Européenne des Gaz de Pétrole Liquéfiés).
All information in this report is verified to the best of the author’s and publisher’s ability.
However, AEGPL does not accept any responsibility for any consequence arising from
reliance on the information contained herein.
02.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Quality Directive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Directive on maximum dimensions & weights for heavy duty vehicles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TECHNICAL, HSE & STANDARDISATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19
20
21
22
DIRECTIVE ON THE INLAND TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS AND EUROPEAN
23
Risk Evaluation & Assessment in RID/ADR/ADN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
GAS APPLIANCES DIRECTIVE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
CEN/ISO Standardisation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Technical Working Groups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
AUTOGAS COORDINATION GROUP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
AEGPL CONGRESS 2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
AEGPL some of our ACHIEVEMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
AGREEMENT CONCERNING THE INTERNATIONAL CARRIAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY ROAD (ADR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AEGPL Members 2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
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Copies can be ordered directly from:
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03.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
AEGPL
AN ONGOING JOURNEY
1968
AEGPL Mission - Representing
the European LPG Sector
AEGPL (Association Européenne des Gaz de Pétrole Liquéfiés) is the sole representative of the LPG industry
at the European level. We represent national LPG associations, as well as distributors and equipment
manufacturers from across Europe.
AEGPL’s mission is to engage with EU decision-makers and the wider policy community in order to optimise
the contribution that LPG, as a clean and immediately available energy source, can make to Europe’s energy
1997
and environmental challenges.
LPG - Sustainable Energy
for Today and Tomorrow
LPG stands for Liquefied Petroleum Gas, a mixture of propane (C 3 H8) and butane (C 4H10). It is
derived during the exploitation of natural gas fields and is also produced during the oil refining
process. LPG has many applications in the home, in industry and in agriculture, and is also
Europe’s leading alternative road transport fuel.
2006
LPG is a lower carbon alternative to solid and liquid fossil fuels, its combustion emits 49%
less CO 2 than coal and 17% less than heating oil. As a transport fuel, LPG has a wheel-towheel (including emissions from production and distribution of fuels, in addition to tailpipe emissions) GHG footprint respectively 21% and 23% lower than petrol and diesel.
These values are defined by the EU Joint Research Centre and are referenced in the Fuel
Quality Directive. In addition LPG emits almost no black carbon, which causes threats
to human health due to poor air quality and is the second biggest contributor to
global warming after CO 2.
WHAT WE DO & HOW WE WORK
Representing national LPG associations and companies from all across the Europe, AEGPL comprises of the only
comprehensive network of professionals from the European LPG sector, whose expertise and input provides the basis for
both EU energy policy and technical and HSE work.
Working closely with both the team In Brussels and each other through formal coordination groups, working groups, AEGPL
works to promote the industry’s interests through the sharing of knowledge and best practices from all across the sector
and the continent.
04.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
THE AEGPL ANNUAL CONGRESS
2013
LONDON
2015
Berlin
2012
BRUSSELS
2011
BUCHAREST
2014
GENOA
2017
LISBON
2010
MADRID
2016
ISTANBUL
05.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
FOREWORD
BY THE PRESIDENT
These will be my last remarks in the form of Foreword in our AEGPL
annual review, as I am stepping down from the AEGPL Presidency as
of May 2015. I am therefore all the more happy to share my thoughts
with you on the year that has just passed, like I did in the past years.
This year has seen once again the continuous growth of AEGPL, not
just in membership but also in areas of activity. For this, I would like
to thank the AEGPL team for the great work they have been doing on
behalf of all the members. AEGPL is only as strong and influential as its
R a món
D
P r e s id e L uis Serr a no
en t of
A EGP L
members wish it to be, so it gives me great satisfaction to confirm that
we are an association that feels the backing and active support of its
members at all times.
Such support has been expressed in many different ways: from the
regular interactions between our members and our staff in Brussels; to
the exchanges of information and best practices that allow us to maintain
our status as a respected industry in the European energy sector; to the
organisation of successful events as was the case once again with the
AEGPL Annual Congress that took place in Genoa in May 2014.
The greatest risk of success is to take it for granted. We, at AEGPL, will
not make that mistake. We want to be ever closer to our members and
be their voice in Brussels. We want to continue following closely the
Our industry understands the importance of adaptability. We sometimes
legislative and regulatory developments in Europe, so that we can keep
face great challenges, some derived from a fast-changing legislative or
our members informed and convey their views in the most efficient way .
regulatory environment, and others from a simple lack of understanding
of the complex issues our businesses deal with. The role of AEGPL is
precisely to empower its members to navigate in less troubled waters.
Our work has been done with the aim of bringing the views of the
industry closer to the political arenas, while promoting more information
and education on LPG. These efforts have transformed some challenges
into opportunities, as we can read in this annual report.
I would like to end this note by thanking all of you by the collaboration
you have provided to me during my presidency.
And finally I welcome my successor Paul Ladner. I am sure that he will
continue overseeing the growth and success of AEGPL. For my part, I will
always remain available to collaborate with you all and you can be sure
that we will meet again.
We are an association that feels
the backing and active support of
its members at all times.
06.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
GENERAL MANAGER’S REMARKS
This year saw the arrival of many new Members of the European
Parliament in Brussels following the May elections, together with the
appointment of the new college of European Commissioners which
took office in November, 2014 has to be considered a milestone year
for the EU political scene. A lot of these changes are likely to affect
the LPG industry in the coming years, and therefore the way AEGPL
works to raise awareness and best represent the interest of our
industry towards policy makers.
Part of the overall AEGPL advocacy plan to address this changing
Gener a
environment was dedicated in 2014 to brief our members and
empower them to establish contacts with Members of the European
S
l M a n a a muel M aub a nc
ger of
A EGP L
Parliament from their respective country. This included the publication
of our AEGPL guidebook to the new EP, as well as the very successful
execution of an outreach programme for our national association
members, which resulted in almost 40 bilateral meetings taking place.
It is often said in Brussels that years of European elections see little
policy developments, as most of the political attention is on the
elections themselves. 2014 proved this pre-conceived idea remarkably
wrong. A number of milestone policies were indeed either proposed or
adopted in 2014.
A number of milestone policies were
either proposed or adopted in 2014. Part
of the overall AEGPL advocacy plan
for 2014 was dedicated to brief our
members and empower them.
Firstly, the 2030 energy and climate framework was unveiled by the
European Commission. These objectives will structure the overall
political agenda of the EU for years to come. They have confirmed the
EU’s intention to remain a world leader in climate change policies,
while allowing sufficient flexibility for Member States to accommodate
21% lower than diesel and petrol, will evidently play a leading role in
these objectives with their own local conditions. AEGPL welcomes
this area. We at AEGPL were also pleased to see the Alternative Fuels
this pragmatic and realistic approach, which will optimise all energy
Infrastructure Directive entering into force in late 2014. The Directive
sources’ contribution.
highlights the strategic position of LPG, currently being the most widely
used alternative fuel and having successfully established already an
As far as legislation is concerned, a crucial development in 2014 was
extensive refuelling infrastructure.
the long-awaited adoption of the implementing measure for the Fuel
Quality Directive. This will finally enable the Directive, which has set an
Looking at the EU agenda for 2015, and in particular the
objective to cut by 6% the GHG intensity of transport fuels in Europe by
implementation of the Energy Union strategy, it is evident that this year
2020, to effectively deliver on its promise. LPG, which is attributed by
will be no less busy for AEGPL. Stay tuned for further exciting news and
the Directive a default GHG value respectively 23% and
activities from AEGPL!
07.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
ORGANISATION
AEGPL STRUCTURE
General Assembly
MANAGEMENT
committee
STeering committee
general manager
aegpl staff
S. Maubanc
EU Policy
Coordination group
technical
Coordination group
autogas
Coordination group
policy and
communications
assistant
office manager
technical manager
autogas manager
public affairs manager
C. Molina
N. Xydas
A. Stöhr
A. Neves Costa
J. Loffredo
08.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
EU Policy Coordination Group
• Energy Taxation Working Group
• Energy Efficiency Working Group
• Alternative Fuels Working Group
AEGPL’s Policy Coordination Group, made up of policy experts from amongst AEGPL’s members, comprises working groups on specific legislative
dossiers. The working groups operate together by regular conference calls and occasional in-person meetings to enhance the understanding of
potential impacts of legislation, and ensure our message to the European institutions and national governments is as consistent as possible. The
coordination group is managed from Brussels by the AEGPL secretariat.
Technical Coordination Group
• Transport RID/ADR/AND Working Group
• Bleve Prevention Working Group
AEGPL’s technical coordination group, managed by AEGPL’s technical manager, consists of technical experts from across AEGPL’s members and
is responsible for proposing and steering AEGPL’s technical working groups. These working groups formulate appropriate responses to emerging
technical and HSE legislation as well as devising strategies for appropriate enforcement of relevant laws at the national level and the eradication
of unfair practices. The technical coordination group meets twice in person and twice in conference call per year; with working groups meeting
by conference call regularly, and in person on an ad hoc basis. AEGPL’s technical manager is shared with the World LP Gas Association, facilitating
synergies between the European LPG sector and the rest of the world.
Autogas Coordination Group
The Autogas coordination group covers policy and technical issues that are of specific relevance to the use of LPG as transport fuel. To ensure
synergies and optimal use of staff and members expertise, two-way communication channels are established with the other two Coordination
Groups for issues that may be of shared interest. This group allows the interested members to participate in very detailed discussions such as the
technical guidelines for retrofit workshops or the long term development of the Autogas infrastructure and how to best implement future fuel
requirements, modernising the brand Autogas.
09.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
AEGPL
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Ramón de Luis Serrano, President
Ramón de Luis Serrano is the President of AEGPL and chairman of the company Trimex Consulting. He was
previously CEO of Repsol Butano and Executive Director of LPG worldwide for Repsol.
Prior to that he held several executive positions within the Repsol Group including Director General of Natural
Gas Distribution, International Director General and Commercial Director General and also worked as Technical
Director for Heredia y Moreno. He is an industrial engineer by profession and also holds an MBA from IESE and
University of Michigan.
Paul Ladner, Vice-President
Paul Ladner is the Vice President for marketing for UGI International, a leading LPG marketer in Central and
Eastern Europe based in Vienna, Austria, and wholly owned by UGI Corporation.
Prior to his current position Paul was the Director of International Propane for UGI, working closely with the Flaga
Group and Antargaz, UGI’s French and Benelux LPG company. Paul’s LPG experience also extends to UGI’s US
based LPG company, AmeriGas Propane, where he worked in several positions throughout the US, including
Market Operations Manager, Director of Regional Sales and Director of Strategic Accounts.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Richmond and a Masters of Business Administration
degree from Penn State University.
Joel Pedessac, Past-President
Joel Pedessac is the General Manager of the Comité Français du Butane et du Propane (The French LPG
Association), a position he has held for 10 years.
Before joining CFBP, Joel worked at Shell and Butagaz. He is the immediate Past-President of AEGPL, and also
Chairs the Global Autogas Industry Network of the World LP Gas Association. He holds a degree in energy and
technology, and an executive MBA from HEC Paris.
Rob Shuttleworth, Treasurer
Rob Shuttleworth is Chief Executive of UKLPG, the LPG industry’s trade association in the UK.
Rob joined UKLPG in 2006 from ConocoPhillips (now Phillips 66) where from 2001 he held the post of LPG
Business Unit Manager, responsible for their wholesale LPG supply business. Prior to joining the company’s LPG
arm, he held a series of positions within ConocoPhillips including responsibility for Jet petrol sales promotions,
forecourt marketing, and brand and retail store development. Latterly he had bottom line responsibility for Jet
Company Owned forecourts in their heart-land of the North of England and Scotland.
10.
Rob has a background in travel and transport marketing and holds an MA in Geography from the University of Aberdeen.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
ELECTION RESULTS OVERVIEW
there has been Fragmentation
of the political spectrum
A general rise of the far-right and far-left (one third of the Members come
from such parties) versus a weakening of mainstream centre left and
centre right parties.
The European Conservatives
and Reformists are now
the third largest group
The ECR now has 70 MEPs as opposed to 54 in the previous Parliament. It
has grown also because they managed to include national parties from
Centre-Right and Left still at the top despite losses, the EPP is still the
other groups (e.g. Belgian NVA from ALDE) and have also welcomed a few
largest group and its counterpart on the left came second once again.
parties from the far-right. While in the past they would not necessarily have
However, they now form a fragile majority, with 55% of the seats down from
accepted these parties, this now clearly shows they aimed at growing as
61% in the previous parliament.
much as they could (possibly for financial reasons). Nevertheless, the group
will be more difficult to control now.
Political upheaval in some countries
In France, the far-right National Front came first, beating the governing
Socialists into third place. In the UK, the Eurosceptic party UKIP made
significant gains, securing its place as the largest party representing the
country in the European Parliament. Similar results were seen in Greece
(Syriza) and Denmark (Danish People’s Party).
The Alliance of Liberals and
Democrats for Europe (ALDE)
suffered significantly
ALDE has moved from 84 MEPs in 2009 to 67 in 2014 – making it 4th largest
group. However, their influence is likely to be relatively stable within
Parliament as they have secured a disproportionate number of Committee
The number of Green MEPs
has gone down slightly
Chairmanships and Vice-Chairmanships in the committees.
They have 50 MEPs as opposed to 55 in the previous parliament.
However, their influence concerning energy and environmental policy
is unlikely to change as they have almost the same number of Members
in key committees. Key influential Green MEPs have largely returned
to Parliament, and they hold the Chair of the TRAN Committee through
German MEP Michael Kramer.
More than Half
the Parliament is New:
51% of MEPs will be in the
EP for the first time.
11.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
THE NEW EUROPEAN
COMMISSION
Following the May elections,
a new Commission was formed.
Jean-Claude Juncker, who previously served as Prime Minister of
Luxembourg for 18 years, was appointed as new president of the
European Commission.
One of the main priorities he set for the new Commission is to reach
a higher level of integration in the energy sector through the socalled Energy Union strategy.
First Vice-President
Frans Timmermans
High Representative
Federica Mogherini
Better Regulation,
Interinstitutional Relations,
Rule of Law & Charter of
Fundamental Rights
High Representative of the Union
for Foreign Policy & Security
Policy/Vice-President
PRESIDENT
JEAN-CLAUDE JUNCKER
Vice-President
Kristalina Georgieva
Budget & Human Resources
Vice-President
Maroš Šefčovič
Digital Single Market
Vice-President
Valdis Dombrovskis
Vice-President
Jyrki Katainen
Energy Union
Vice-President
Andrus Ansip
The Euro
& Social Dialogue
Jobs, Growth, Investment
& Competitiveness
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Věra Jourová
Günther Oettinger
Pierre Moscovici
Marianne Thyssen
Corina Crețu
Johannes Hahn
Justice, Consumers
& Gender Equality
Digital Economy & Society
Economic & Financial Affairs,
Taxation & Customs
Employment, Social Affairs,
Skills & Labour Mobility
Regional Policy
European Neighbourhood Policy
& Enlargement Negotiations*
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Dimitris Avramopoulos
Vytenis Andriukaitis
Jonathan Hill
Elżbieta Bieńkowska
Miguel Arias Cañete
Neven Mimica
Migration, Home Affairs
& Citizenship
Health & Food Safety
Financial Stability,
Financial Services &
Capital Markets Union
Internal Market, Industry,
Entrepreneurship & SMEs
Climate Action & Energy
International Cooperation
& Development
12.
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Margrethe Vestager
Violeta Bulc
Cecilia Malmström
Karmenu Vella
Competition
Transport
Trade
Environment, Maritime Affairs
& Fisheries
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Tibor Navracsics
Carlos Moedas
Phil Hogan
Christos Stylianides
Education, Culture,
Youth & Sport
Research, Science
& Innovation
Agriculture
& Rural Development
Humanitarian Aid
& Crisis Management
Source:
*The HRVP may ask this
Commissioner
(and
other
Commissioners) to deputise
for her in areas related to
Commission competence.
European Commission
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
THE NEW EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
OUR WORK
IN 2014
13.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT POLICY
AEGPL’s energy and environment
policy work involves active
contribution to policies
formulated at the European level.
Through participation in stakeholder groups, one-to-one
meetings with representatives from EU institutions, policy
events, formulation of positions, and submissions to relevant
institutions and actors, AEGPL ensures that both the positive
contribution of LPG and the views of the LPG industry are
fully understood by policy-makers. Conversely, AEGPL also
aims to keep the LPG sector up-to-date on the latest policy
developments from Brussels.
AEGPL ensures that both
the positive contribution
of LPG and the views of
the LPG industry are fully
understood by policy-makers.
14.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
AEGPL ENGAGEMENT WITH
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Background
outcome
Following the entering into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009, the
In January 2015 AEGPL put together about 40 meetings with MEPs
European Parliament has acquired the role of co-legislator in most
introducing AEGPL and the national associations and providing MEPs
EU policy fields; therefore, it has now the same ability as the Council
more knowledge about the LPG industry and about the contribution it
to adopt, amend or reject proposals coming from the European
can make in achieving the EU’s goals.
Commission. The Parliament has this competence in almost all the areas
related to the LPG sector such as transport; energy security; internal
energy market; environment; consumer protection; and agriculture.
After organising a structured reporting mechanism with its members
on the outcome of each meeting, AEGPL was then well positioned to
follow-up with MEPs interested in receiving further information. This
Of the new group of 751 Members of the European Parliament elected in
outreach programme proved extremely useful not only for generally raising
July 2014, more than half sat in the European Parliament for the first time.
awareness of LPG and its properties in the European parliament but also to
For this reason, new relationships needed to be established in order for
establish contacts with MEPs active in policy areas where our product is of
AEGPL to continue being effective in its work with the European institutions.
most relevance.
our action
AEGPL secretariat conducted a thorough analysis of the composition of
the new European Parliament and the main shifts in the political balance
within relevant Parliamentary Committees. In order to consolidate this
information, AEGPL produced for its members a comprehensive guide to
the 2014-2019 European Parliament, which provides a clear and easy to
read overview of the new dynamics in the Parliament and the possible
implications for the advocacy work of our industry.
After empowering our members with in-depth knowledge and
understanding on how the new European Parliament, AEGPL took on the
second step of its EP campaign, by coordinating an outreach programme
for the national associations it represents. This outreach programme
took the form of a two-day series of meetings between representatives
of the National Associations and their MEPs. These meetings aimed at
establishing working relationships with the new MEPs, and to offer them the
knowledge and expertise that our members possess.
15.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
2030 FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE
& ENERGY POLICIES
Background
In 2011, the European Commission released the Roadmap for
moving to a low-carbon economy in 2050, an initiative aimed
at making European economy more climate-friendly and less
energy-consuming. This document, which is the basis of the EU
Potential impact
LPG can play a pivotal role in the energy transition as it is a low
carbon energy source. It has therefore a strategic importance in
achieving a clean and sustainable energy mix which will allow
Europe to reach its climate goals.
climate policy, prescribes that by 2050 the EU should achieve
a level of emissions which is 80% lower than the 1990 level.
Since then, the European Commission has periodically released
OUR position
intermediate targets, aimed at putting the EU economy on the
right track to achieving the 2050 goal.
AEGPL welcomed the release of the 2030 framework for climate
and energy policies, as it is a step in the right direction towards the
The 2030 Framework for Climate and Energy policies, released by
decarbonisation of the European economy and to tackling climate
the Commission in January 2014, covers the period between 2020
change. In particular, the flexibility mechanisms seem appropriate,
and 2030, setting the target of reducing the emission of greenhouse
as one of the main weaknesses of the dossier relative to the past
gases in the EU by 40%. The same document also proposes an
period was the rigidity of the targets. The flexibility clause, the
objective of increasing the share of renewable energy to at least 27%
2020 review of the energy efficiency target and the individual
of the EU’s energy consumption by 2030.
member states’ commitments will enable EU climate policy to be
These commitments were discussed by the European Council in its
October summit, which decided to confirm the 40% GHG emission
However, AEGPL finds some provisions disappointing, especially
cut and to make it binding for the EU. This reduction will be broken
if considered in the context of the whole EU climate policy.
down into individual member states’ goals, based on each state’s
For instance, the renewable energy target seems particularly
GDP per capita. The Council also agreed on a 27% energy efficiency
problematic, since, at the moment, EU law does not address the
and a 27% renewable energy target. However, it decided to make
issue of the sustainability of some renewable energy sources. The
the former not binding and the latter only obligatory at the EU level
most evident example is the lack of any sustainability criteria for
and not for the individual member states.
biomass, which is currently driving deforestation in the United
In addition, a flexibility clause was added to the final text, which
enables the Council to review these targets in the future. This
provision was inserted in view to the UN summit taking place in
Paris in December 2015, but the Council will be able to resort to it
also independently from that event. Finally, a revision of the energy
efficiency commitment has been foreseen for 2020.
16.
better tailored to reach its decarbonisation goals.
States and China, hence lowering the planet’s capacity to absorb
CO 2 and worsening climate change. Moreover, AEGPL believes
that a combined environmental and climatic approach would be
sounder, as some low-carbon fuels, unlike LPG, produce high black
carbon emissions, which have a detrimental effect on air quality
and therefore on human health.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
ENERGY TAXATION DIRECTIVE
Background
Our position
The European Commission presented its proposal to revise the EU
AEGPL considers that some essential elements would need to be
framework on minimum excise duty levels on energy sources back in
integrated, should the European Commission consider releasing another
2011. The main idea behind the proposal was to use this EU legislation as
draft proposal for a new Energy Taxation Directive in the future.
an additional instrument for reaching the EU’s environmental objective
of decarbonising the energy use in Europe, notably by introducing a
The issue of taxation of fuels has to be fully in line with the current and
mandatory CO 2 tax component.
upcoming EU supportive policies for alternative fuels, i.e. legal certainty
After three years of negotiations, during which it became apparent that
finding an agreement in the Council would be extremely difficult, a
significant number of Member States called on putting an end to the talks
at the ECOFIN ministerial meeting of October 14th, 2014. The European
Commission publicly confirmed the withdrawal of their proposal when
publishing their Annual Work Programme on December 16th, 2014.
on the long-term safeguarding of preferential tax treatment for these fuels
should remain at the core of the Directive. Lower excise duty is the main
driver for the uptake of alternative fuels, hence the idea of applying similar
tax rates for conventional fuels (which currently represent over 96% of the
vehicle fleet) and alternative fuels, would eventually annihilate all EU efforts
to support a wider use of cleaner alternative fuels. Instead of a one-sizefits-all approach, flexibility should be left to Member States for setting their
own rates for alternative fuels, depending on actual uptake of those fuels at
Potential impact
national level
While AEGPL is supportive of the EU’s goal to curb carbon emissions, some
Regarding taxation of heating fuels, AEGPL would like to highlight that the
of the novelties from this proposal were causing enormous concerns for the
possible impact of tax increases on energy users in rural areas should be
LPG industry. Three of these key issues were:
properly taken into account. AEGPL also finds it questionable that some
heating energy sources such as biomass are currently not in the scope of
• Introduction of a “proportionality principle” for transport fuels – i.e. all
the ETD, while biofuels used in transport are rightly covered.
conventional and alternative fuels being subject to similar tax rates at
national level.
• Introduction through progressive steps of a minimum excise duty of
€500 per ton of Autogas, which equals to 4 times the current one!
• Increase in excise duty on LPG as a heating fuel, which would financially
impact millions of households and businesses across Europe, in
particular in rural areas, where LPG is predominantly used.
17.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
ECO-DESIGN DIRECTIVE
Background
Our position
The Framework Directive, adopted in 2005 and revised in 2009,
AEGPL is convinced that consumers must be provided with
established principles, conditions and criteria for setting
a labelling scheme allowing comparisons between different
environmental requirements for energy-using products. This
technologies, empowering them to make an informed purchase
Directive aims to introduce stringent requirements on the
decision. For that reason, AEGPL supports maintaining the
energy efficiency of appliances put on the market, and also
provisions of the framework Directive regarding the use of a single
entails the expansion of the existing eco-labeling scheme,
primary energy conversion factor across Europe, in combination
which consists in ranking all those products in various
with a single labelling scheme whenever possible, for appliances
efficiency classes.
that can run either on electricity or gas. Should the conversion
Besides the definition of implementing measures, i.e. the
technical requirements tailored to each product category, a
lot of activities were undertaken in 2014 in the context of the
review of the Framework Directive. The European Commission
factor be revised, as is currently being considered, it should
reflect the reality of the electric distribution grid as the time of the
review, and therefore should not take into account anticipated
improvements.
also consulted stakeholders, including AEGPL, on the possible
AEGPL would also like to reiterate its strong opposition to the
revision of the primary energy conversion factor, which allows
exclusion of electric appliances from the scope of the Ecolabelling
consumers to compare the energy performance of electric and
implementing measures for local space heaters, while solid fuel
gaseous fuelled appliances. AEGPL also participated this year in
cookers, and gas fires are covered. Electric appliances represent
the stakeholder consultation organised on the Ecodesign work
the largest share of the local space heater market so it is absolutely
programme for 2015-2017.
illogical not to provide consumers with an efficiency rating for
these appliances.
Potential impact
Introducing mandatory energy efficiency requirements on products
means that certain technologies, in principle the least efficient, will
have to be taken out of the European market. Moreover, informing
consumers with a dedicated label on the energy efficiency of
products will undoubtedly influence consumer choices. The
methodology for measuring energy efficiency performances
and setting the level of requirements on each type of technology
therefore has to be tailored in a realistic and fair manner in order not
to over-penalise any segment of the appliance industry.
18.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
INFRASTRUCTURE DIRECTIVE
Background
Our position
Early 2013, the European Commission published its proposal for a
AEGPL had stressed in the debates and stakeholder meetings prior to
Directive on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, which to
the publication of the proposal that the LPG filling station network had
some extent was based on the work of a Commission led Expert Group
developed without the use of mandatory targets, which as a policy tool,
in which AEGPL participated. The original proposal, would have obliged
had the potential to lead to the development of unnecessary and poorly
Member States to facilitate the build-up of a minimum fuel infrastructure
placed infrastructure. In particular, AEGPL was critical of the use of the
for only electricity, hydrogen, natural gas as well as to produce national
maximum distance concept applied to numerous fuels, and the arguably
policy frameworks for other alternative fuels.
unrealistic numbers and time-frame laid out in the Directive.
Potential impact
LPG, with more than 30,000 filling stations in Europe already, does not
require the kind of state intervention that other alternative fuels may
need for development. Though not included in the original mandates
for infrastructure, LPG remains in the definitions as an alternative fuel
thus opening the possibility to form part of the future alternative fuels
markets. This also set a precedent in including LPG in clear definitions
and descriptions of alternative fuels in EU law. Since several proposals
of legislation have been issued that are based on the same definition.
More generally, another important and positive impact is the political
momentum that the Commission has generated at EU level in favour
of a larger uptake of alternative fuels.
AEGPL liaised closely with both the Parliament and Council on this
Directive, highlighting that the LPG sector’s experience in the development
of its own fuel demonstrated that demand side measures, in particular
the use of reduced excise duty, are the most effective tools to facilitate
uptake. Furthermore, AEGPL stress that the use of mandated targets for
infrastructure may result in wasted resources. Finally, mandatory targets
were not included in the final version of the Directive published late
November 2014, taking into account the different needs of every Member
State. They shall, however, draft national policy frameworks containing “an
assessment of the current state and future development of the market as
regards alternative fuels in the transport sector, including in light of their
possible simultaneous and combined use, and of the development of
alternative fuels infrastructure, considering, where relevant, cross-border
continuity”. While the other clauses in the Directive concerning “national
policy frameworks” focus on building infrastructure for fuels that currently
suffer from insufficient investment in infrastructure, therefore do not apply
to LPG, it is crucial that Autogas is included in the descriptive clause of the
NPFs, as both an indicator of the relative success of LPG as an automotive
fuel, and furthermore to solidify its position as part of that country’s
alternative fuels portfolio.
19
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
FUEL QUALITY DIRECTIVE
Background
aiming to support alternative fuels. It should now be our collective
As stated in Article 7 of the Fuel Quality Directive fuel
maintained over time, but also communicated to and taken into
distributors are required to reduce their overall GHG
account by public authorities and other relevant stakeholders.
emissions, as well as the average life cycle carbon intensity,
The AEGPL will of course keep actively supporting its members in
including production, distribution and end-use phase
reaching this goal at national level whenever requested.
objective to make sure this positive signal from the EU is not only
by 6 % by the year 2020. The reduction can take place through
reducing the emissions for each fuel as well as through a shift
in the portfolio towards less carbon intensive fuels. A soon-tobe adopted Council Directive on the implementation of Article
7 of the FQD has set a very positive value for the intensity
of Autogas versus other transport fuels, according to the
Commission’s own calculations as conducted by their in-house
scientific service, the EU Joint Research Centre.
Potential impact
This requirement of the FQD is expected to represent an
opportunity for Autogas distributors as the average lifecycle
carbon intensity attributed to LPG is much lower than the
baseline figure used as a reference for the mandatory 6% GHG
reduction by 2020. From that point of view, this piece
of legislation is evidently placing LPG as part of the solution
to decarbonising the transport sector in Europe. One of the
most important element is that from now on, an adopted piece
of EU legislation confirms and sets in stone the significant
GHG emission savings that a further use of Autogas will deliver
compared to petrol and diesel, which currently dominate the
transport fuel market.
our position
AEGPL supports the innovative idea to permit pooling of emissions
from several companies as well as averaging and joint assessment
of emissions of different portfolios. This, in combination with other
recent legislative initiatives such as the Directive on Alternative
Fuels Infrastructure, will clearly foster diversification and a
corresponding reduction in the carbon intensity of the transport
fuel mix. LPG, as a fuel with a lower carbon intensity than most
other fuels, can contribute positively to the average carbon
intensity of many companies’ portfolio on the average emissions
of the different fuel portfolios.
AEGPL strongly recommends all its members to widely share
the figures from the Annex to the Council Directive on the
implementation of Article 7 in ongoing exchanges with policy
makers and stakeholders at national level. This is crucial in
particular in the context of current or upcoming discussions with
national authorities on why Autogas deserves to be promoted
and supported by national policy measures. When combined with
the recent inclusion of LPG in the definition of alternative fuels
as laid down in article 2 of Directive 2014/94/EU on Alternative
Fuel Infrastructure, our industry is now equipped with powerful
AEGPL strongly recommends all its members to use as much as
arguments from the EU level to see our fuel being placed at
possible the figures from the Annex to the Council Directive on the
the core of any future legislation aiming to support alternative
implementation of Article 7 in their advocacy materials, and in
fuels. It should now be our collective objective to make sure this
particular in the context of current or upcoming discussions with
momentum from the EU is not only maintained over time, but also
national authorities on why Autogas deserves to be promoted and
communicated to and taken into account by public authorities and
supported by public authorities. When combined with the recent
other relevant stakeholders. The AEGPL will of course keep actively
inclusion of LPG in the definition of alternative fuels as laid down in
supporting its members in reaching this goal at national level
article 2 of Directive 2014/94/EU on Alternative Fuel Infrastructure,
whenever requested.
our industry is now equipped with powerful arguments from the
EU level to avoid our fuel being left outside any future legislation
20.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
DIRECTIVE ON MAXIMUM
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
FOR HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES
Background
distortions in the transport field. AEGPL brought these concerns to the
In April, a proposal amending the Directive laying down maximum
with the European Parliament in order to raise awareness of the risks such
authorized weights and dimensions for heavy duty vehicles was put
approach would have posed.
attention of decision makers by engaging with the European Council and
forward by the European Commission. The reason behind the decision to
release a new proposal was that the Commission felt necessary to reduce
AEGPL’s efforts were successful as the text approved by the Council in late
greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption in the field of transport.
2014 extended the special treatment to other alternative fuels, with LPG
For this reason, the proposed directive set much more stringent rules
explicitly mentioned in the text. The Parliament is now expected to vote
than the legislation currently in force.
on the Council’s position in the first half of 2015 and AEGPL will continue
Importantly, a weight increase of one tonne was authorized for vehicles
with an electric or hybrid propulsion, to take account of the weight
discussing this dossier with MEPs to make sure that LPG remains within the
scope of this provision.
of batteries or the dual motorisation, without prejudice to the load
capacity of the vehicle.
Potential impact
The proposal released by the Commission was arguably not sufficiently
technology-neutral as it only granted an exception for electric and hybrid
trucks, and not to other heavy duty vehicles running on alternative fuels.
This approach did not take into account that an authorisation of a weight
increase for Autogas trucks, on the basis of the additional weight of the
LPG tank, was fundamental to keep them competitive. Therefore, the
proposal would have unfairly put Autogas trucks at a severe disadvantage
in comparison to electric and hybrid vehicles.
OUR Position
AEGPL stressed the importance of keeping the notion of alternative fuel
central in the EU transport policy. In fact, favouring only electric and
hybrid vehicles would have created unnecessary and harmful. competition
21.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
TECHNICAL, HSE & STANDARDISATION
The key role of the technical
function in AEGPL is to support the
needs and activities of the AEGPL
membership in both technical and
safety (HSE) aspects.
Key areas of technical involvement include the development
and maintenance of Health, Safety and Technical legislation
through European Directives and Regulations, active
contribution to the European (CEN) standardisation processes,
and sourcing and sharing of technical information, knowledge,
best practices and innovation.
22.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
DIRECTIVE ON THE INLAND TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS
GOODS AND EUROPEAN AGREEMENT CONCERNING
THE INTERNATIONAL CARRIAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS
BY ROAD (ADR)
Background
The transport of dangerous goods has been regulated by international
agreements since the 1950s. The European Agreement concerning the
International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) was signed at Geneva
in 1957 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for
Europe and entered into force in 1968, with the EU adopting uniform rules in
1994. The 2008 Directive on the inland transport of dangerous goods brings
together all pre-existing EU legislation into a single text, and regulates the
transport of dangerous goods by road (ADR), rail (RID) or inland waterways
(ADN) within EU countries.
Potential impact
Transport of the product is a key activity in the LPG industry with both
corresponding costs and, of course, safety implications. The ADR Agreement
and its implementation are paramount in ensuring that the industry can
operate safely and efficiently across the LPG distribution chain. The scope
of the agreement covers transport both in bulk and in cylinders and as a
LPG related standards approved
for referencing in ADR 2017
• EN 12252:2014 - LPG Equipment & Accessories-Equipping of
LPG road tankers
• EN 12493:2013 + A1:2014 LPG equipment and accessories –
Welded steel tanks for liquefied
• EN 13175:2014 LPG Equipment and accessories - Specification
and testing for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) pressure vessel
valves and fittings
• EN 13953:2015 LPG equipment and accessories - Pressure
relief valves for transportable refillable cylinders for Liquefied
Petroleum Gas (LPG)
• EN 14129:2014 LPG Equipment and accessories - Pressure
relief valves for LPG pressure vessels
• EN 14140:2014, LPG Equipment and accessories –
consequence, it impacts also the design and other requirements on tanks and
Transportable refillable welded steel cylinders for LPG –
cylinders themselves. AEGPL supports the ongoing legislative process through
Alternative design and construction
its presence in the UN ECE RID/ADR/ADN Joint Meetings and its own internal
working group. Through the referencing of appropriate LPG standards in RID/
ADR/ADN, AEGPL ensures that as new technologies are developed and new
knowledge is available, such standards fully reflect changes on the ground.
OUR POSITION
Significant successes were achieved in 2014, namely in the processes of
referencing LPG standards of the AEGPL - sponsored CEN TC 286 committee
into ADR, including extensive use of teleconferences. However, this year saw
unfortunately a significant slowdown of activity and efficiency of the process
due to lack of CEN resources (lack of CEN consultant), attributed by CEN to
delays in agreeing the funding mechanism with the Commission. AEGPL,
greatly concerned by this situation, expressed together with the industrial
gases association (EIGA) its views to the commission, and followed up by
a request of a high level meeting at CEN. The situation is still unresolved.
Despite the adverse situation, AEGPL succeeded in having 100% of the
• Petroleum gas (LPG) – Road tankers – Design and manufacture
• EN 14334:2014 LPG equipment and accessories — Inspection
and testing of LPG road tankers
• EN14427:2014 LPG equipment and accessories - Transportable
refillable fully wrapped composite cylinders for Liquefied
Petroleum Gases (LPG) - Design and Construction
• EN 14912:2015 LPG equipment and accessories - Inspection
and maintenance of LPG cylinder valves at time of periodic
inspection of cylinders.
List of Documents submitted by AEGPL
• On periodic inspection of LPG tank-vehicles, alternatives to
the hydraulic test (third revised submission)
• On periodic inspection and testing of some (over-
referencing requests accepted in the spring 2014 RID/ADR session. The
moulded) transportable refillable LPG steel c ylinders
complete list of standards approved for reference in 2014 is as follows:
(fourth revised submission)
• On complementary information, the position of the LPG
industry on BLEVE prevention and response to the request for
adoption of thermal coating
• On risk assessment and the roadmap of the European Railway
Agency (ERA) on risk management in the context of inland
transport of dangerous goods.
23.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
RISK EVALUATION
& ASSESSMENT IN RID/ADR/ADN
Significant activity continued in 2014 in the context of Risk
Evaluation and Assessment in the Rail, Road and Inland
Waterways of Transport of Dangerous Goods, with main focus
specific workshops to deal with the harmonization of existing
methodologies, processes and practices.
Workshops on Risk Management
in the context of Rail, Road and
Inland Waterways on Transport
of Dangerous Goods
Bleve Prevention
A large number of experts in the field of transport of dangerous
thermal coating be adopted in principle, as protection against
goods attended the workshops organized by ERA, the European
the risks of Bleve for tanks transporting goods that can produce
Railway Agency, with representatives of national administrations,
such an event. AEGPL being against this largely unproven measure,
the private sector, international organizations and the European
succeeded in that no such decision was taken on this proposal.
Commission. AEGPL participated actively and contributed
The Joint Meeting confirmed again that the substances concerned
significantly, considering this work closely related to Bleve (Boiling
were not limited to LPG and that other gases and flammable liquids
Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion) prevention, a subject of key
are also to be considered. The decision made was that the informal
importance to the European LPG industry. The topics discussed
working group should continue its work but this should be modified
covered risk assessment methods, risk acceptance criteria, their
on a reworked and better targeted mandate, to examine protection
use in decision making processes, incident reporting systems and
measures against a catastrophic failure of a tank when exposed to
databases. The outcome of this work would enable harmonized risk-
fire, such as thermal protection, PRVs and measures intended to
based decision making and reconciliation of local and global safety
prevent a fire itself.
level objectives for all inland transport modes. The roadmap that
This was a significant success of AEGPL and the European LPG
has been presented for this work includes three such workshops per
industry on the whole, but also of the other related industries that
year until the end of 2017. AEGPL is committed to be closely involved
shared and supported the views expressed. A decision to adopt at
with this work and to continue actively to contribute.
this stage thermal coating as a measure for Bleve protection could
UN ECE Multimodal Database
on Events involving Transport
of Dangerous Goods (European
Accidents Database)
Closely linked to the risk evaluation and assessment activities as
above, AEGPL is fully in support of the development of a UN ECE
RID/ADR/ADN European Accidents Database, and it participated
and contributed to all related work in 2014, mainly through the
workshops organized by ERA, as well as separately in the context
of the RID/ADR Joint Meeting activity. AEGPL considers this project
as of prime importance, not only as a basis for learning from
these events and accordingly modifying related standards and
24.
regulations, but also as a source of valuable data for risk evaluation
and assessment studies. AEGPL will continue actively contributing
to this work and encouraging its members and network, local
associations and related ministries, to support these efforts and to
contribute with their expertise.
Following the developments in 2013 with the presentation of the
BAM tests results in Berlin, the informal Bleve RID/ADR Working
Group met in February 2014, following which, a formal submission
by the Netherlands in the September Joint Meeting requested that
have negative safety, operational and environmental consequences
and cost implications, for a risk that has not yet been assessed, let
alone justified, by a risk analysis at European level.
Expertise sharing
with the wider Industry
Significant focus has been put again in 2014 in strengthening the
sharing of expertise and strengthening working relationships with
other industry associations in the technical and safety field, namely
CEFIC, EIGA and others.. Various projects have benefited from the
input of common expert resources and this is envisaged to be
improved also further in the future.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
GAS APPLIANCES DIRECTIVE
Background
the size, sector, and structure of the undertakings involved in order to avoid
The 1990 Gas Appliances Directive (GAD) established safety requirements
clear definitions of the types of products that would fall under the scope of
to be put in place by Member States concerning gas burning appliances
create an unfair playing field for competing energies, as well as the need for
any future GAD.
used for cooking, heating, hot water production, refrigeration, lighting
and washing. This original Directive and the amendment that followed
AEGPL has been an active stakeholder in the development of this Directive
in 1993 have been codified in the 2009 GAD. In late 2011, the European
and had provided input in the public consultation on its revision. The public
Commission launched a public consultation concerning a possible review
consultation did not identify concrete evidence suggesting that significant
of the 2009 GAD due to concerns that certain definitions were unclear
safety risks or market failings exist associated with products that currently
within the text and that the scope of the Directive did not cover certain
lay outside the scope of the GAD. An overall conclusion is that the current
products now available on the market.
implementation and functioning of the Gas Appliances Directive appears to
be efficient and that it has been effective in meeting its objectives.
Potential Impact
Following consultation, the proposal of the revised directive was eventually
The revision of the GAD could have potentially required inclusion
the existing Directive by a directly applicable Regulation, while the legal
in the Directive of appliances and components currently excluded,
framework of the GAD is being aligned to the New Legislative Framework
such as industrial appliances, external regulators and so on, causing
(NLF). The areas of improvement do not involve major changes; the current
a potentially high administrative burden on the LPG sector and LPG
scope remains the same, it however modifies some of its provisions in
appliance manufacturers.
order to clarify and update their content and to include also innovative
released by the Commission in May 2014 with the intention to replace
technologies like heat pumps. The exclusion of appliances with a normal
Our position
temperature exceeding 105 oC was deleted. More definitions were
introduced to reduce the need of guidance sheets. New elements, such
as obligations on importers have been introduced, which are crucial for
AEGPL has, since 2009, welcomed the public consultation and
improving the safety of products in the market. Also there is request now
corresponding potential revision of the GAD, while noting a number of key
that Member States must communicate the types of gas and corresponding
points to be considered in the formulation of any revision. Notably, AEGPL
supply pressures used on their territories.
has stressed that full and clear justification of any widening of the scope
of products be included, along with a clear estimate of corresponding
improvements. AEGPL has further stressed the need to take into account
25.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
CEN/ISO
STANDARDISATION
AEGPL actively supports LPG related Health, Safety and Technical
as well as through its members across Europe. Every year, the plenary
standardisation processes in particular those related to the
of the CEN /TC 286 takes place in spring, when all the year activity is
European processes (CEN). Significant effort goes into the support
reviewed and discussed and the program of the committee and its
of the LPG dedicated Technical Committee TC 286 which AEGPL
different Working Group activities for the following year is agreed.
sponsors. One of the key roles of the AEGPL Technical Manager is
to ensure effective cooperation and provide guidance to the LPG
dedicated TC286 committee in the best interests of AEGPL members.
Effective support of the LPG-related standardisation processes
also involves monitoring and participation as needed in other
LPG-related standardisation committees such as TC 181, TC 296,
and TC23 among others. The 2015 plenary meeting of the CEN 181
(Dedicated LPG Appliances) will be sponsored and hosted as every
year, by AEGPL during its Annual Congress which will take place in
2015 in Berlin.
The international standardisation processes (ISO) are also included
WG 1 - Working Group 1 has responsibility for the design
and manufac ture of LPG pressure vessels (Convenor Mr. John
Williams, Flogas)
WG 2 - Working Group 2 has responsibility for the design and
manufacture of accessories for vessels designed by Working
Group 1 (Convenor Mr. Paul O’Connell, Flogas)
in the monitoring activities of the association, in particular when
WG 5 - Working Group 5 has responsibility for the
they concern related CEN standards. This activity is undertaken in
operational requirements of the transport of LPG in tanks by
conjunction with WLPGA.
road or rail (Convenor, Mr. Nick Hector, DVFG)
The AEGPL-sponsored CEN Technical Committee, TC 286 “Liquefied
WG 6 - Working Group 6 has responsibility for automotive
Petroleum Gas Equipment and Accessories”, held its two-day annual
LPG systems (Convenor Mr. Salvatore Piccolo, Assogasliquidi)
plenary meeting in Delft in the Netherlands, hosted by NEN. It was
attended by 21 experts, representing 9 different countries (Finland,
WG 7 - Working Group 7 has responsibility for operational
France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and
requirements for both transportable LPG cylinders and static
United Kingdom).
customer tanks (Convenor Mr. Henri François, CFBP)
The Technical Committee, is responsible for standardization of all
WG 8 - Working Group 8 has responsibility for producing a
pressure equipment and transport pressure equipment for liquefied
standard for the requirements for the design, installation
petroleum gas, including associated accessories and it includes design,
and subsequent maintenance of LPG pipework systems
manufacture, inspection and testing, and operational requirements, but
(Convenor Mr. Richard Turski, BP Europe SA).
excluding pipelines, and cartridges of 1 liter and below.
The relationship between the prepared standards and the legislation
that covers the LPG industry makes the work of this Technical
Committee of paramount importance in terms of safety and costs.
Consequently, this Technical Committee is sponsored by AEGPL, and
is one of the association’s key technical activities. The Committee
WG9 - Working Group 9 has the responsibility for producing
standards on LPG under the Recreational Craft Directive (New
convenor pending approval Mr. Alexander Stoehr, AEGPL).
WG10 - Working Group 10 has the responsibility for
producing an Environmental document that can be
prepares and drafts product standards specific to LPG equipment
referenced by all TC 286 standards (Convenor Mr. Joao
and accessories in line with the essential requirements of relevant EU
Ferreira, ITG)
Directives and as well as those to be referenced in the RID/ADR.
The chairman of this CEN / TC 286 is Mr. Tim Barnett with secretary Mrs.
Ann Crotty. AEGPL is represented by its Technical Manager, Nikos Xydas
26.
WG11 - Working Group 11 has the responsibility for producing
a Technical Specification containing all the definitions to be
used in Tc286 standards (Convenor Mr. T. Barnett, AEGPL)
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
Members of the CEN TC 286 Annual Plenary
in Delft, Holland, 20th and 21st May 2014
Highlights of the AEGPL-Sponsored LPG
dedicated CEN Technical Committee 286,
standards issued in 2014
• EN 12252:2014 Equipping of LPG road tankers
• EN 12493:2013+A1:2014 Welded steel pressure vessels for LPG road
tankers - Design and manufacture and drum marking
• EN 13175:2014 Specification and testing for Liquefied Petroleum Gas
• EN 14893:2014 Transportable Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) welded
steel pressure drums with a capacity between 150 litres and 1 000 litres
• TS 16765:2015 LPG Equipment and Accessories –Environmental
considerations for CEN TC 286 standards
• TS 16769:2015 LPG Equipment and Accessories –Terminology
Highlights from ISO standardisation
activities, TC 58 (Gas cylinders)
(LPG) pressure vessel valves and fittings
• EN 14129:2014 Pressure relief valves for LPG pressure vessels
• EN 14140:2014 Transportable refillable welded steel cylinders for LPG Alternative design and construction
• EN 14334:2014 Inspection and testing of LPG road tankers
• EN 14427:2014 Transportable refillable fully wrapped composite
cylinders for LPG - Design and construction
• EN 14570:2014 Equipping of overground and underground LPG vessels
AEGPL, together with the WLPGA, kept monitoring through the year
the annual plenary meetings of the ISO TC 58 (Gas cylinders) technical
committee on Design, Fittings and Operational requirements.
Two of existing LPG ISO/EN standards will be revised with the involvement
of TC286 WG2 experts, these standards are:
• ISO/EN 14245:2006 Gas cylinders - Specifications and testing of LPG
cylinder valves - Self-closing
• ISO/EN 15995:2006 Gas cylinders - Specifications and testing of LPG
cylinder valves - Manually operated”.
27.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
TECHNICAL WORKING GROUPS
Within the Technical Coordination
Internal Inspection of Cylinders
Group, certain working groups are
during periodic requalification –
created as needed to handle specific ad-hoc group
issues that are of common interest The origin of the creation of this group was the Multilateral
Agreement M255, Periodic inspection of LPG welded steel cylinders,
to AEGPL’s members. These working
that Italy and France had signed, derogating the internal inspection
groups are proposed and developed of the LPG cylinders (an ADR regulations requirement) during
requalifications. Following a decision of the technical
through the technical coordination periodic
Coordination team, a series of teleconferences and meetings
group meetings.
followed with the objective to analyse the issue, understand better
all the related details, benefits, necessity or not of the internal
Transport RID/ADR/ADN
inspections and conclude with a common AEGPL position if
The role of this Group is to monitor and support the work that is carried
company in UK and Ireland has dropped the hydraulic test while it
out in the UN ECE RID/ADR/AND Joint and other related meetings and
is in favour of the internal inspection. The outcome would also be
is key in ensuring that the position of the European LPG industry is
linked to a possible request for ADR changes based on the results of
represented effectively in these meetings.
the work and a revision of the relevant TC286 standard EN1440. The
possible. However this is complicated by the fact that one major LPG
work of this group is ongoing, with next steps a risk analysis of the
BLEVE Prevention
various options seeking safety equivalence.
active, analysing all available information and knowledge, liaising
AEGPL Incident/Accidents Database
- ad-hoc group
with external expert resources (DNV) and preparing documents and
In support and in alignment with the UN ECE Multimodal Database on
This group works on the issue of prevention of Bleve (Boiling Liquid
Evaporation Vapour Explosions). In 2014, the group was particularly
related discussions for the RID/ADR informal Bleve working group
meetings and the RID/ADR Joint Meeting sessions.
Events involving Transport of Dangerous Goods (European Accidents
Database), AEGPL developed in 2014 through a small working group its
own incidents/accidents reporting system and database. This aims at
collection of related events from 2015 onwards.
The role of this Group is to
monitor and support the work
that is carried out in the UN ECE
RID/ADR/AND Joint and other
related meetings.
28.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
AUTOGAS
COORDINATION GROUP
Background
the same degree of flexibility and caution, in particular considering the
Autogas maintains its leading position through the continuously
a common refuelling connector for the entire European market has also
rising numbers of cars powered by LPG in the European region. At the
received some attention as changes to the existing infrastructure need to
same time the market of automotive fuels continues remains in the
be carefully planned for long transitional phases with intermediate steps.
specific conditions existing in various countries across Europe. Establishing
focus of policy makers, which reflects a continuously high level of
importance in our member’s activities. AEGPL’s dedicated coverage of
Combining the different aspects of the subject through careful
the use of LPG as a fuel for engines has been covered in the dedicated
consideration forges solid industry positions, the Autogas Coordination
Group – the AEGPL Autogas Coordination Group. Covering certain
Group involves the major stakeholders in the processes, particularly the
technological as well as policy-related aspects of the Autogas market,
Automotive industry at global level.
it forms a practical link between the AEGPL Policy Coordination and
the Technical Coordination Groups, providing a higher level of detail.
TASKS
focus
Continuous development, staying abreast at a technological level
As discussions inside and outside our industry have proven, the upcoming
allows Autogas to claim its ground and maintain its No. 1 position
challenges (fuel standards and filling station specifications) were correctly
in the alternative fuels market, securing this position in the future.
identified. Following the inquiry on the legal status of EN 589, finding out
Anticipation of change or even influencing and controlling change
how the standard had been adopted in the Member States showed to
are key elements of change management. Changes in regulatory
what extent. One of the major upcoming changes involves the reduction of
framework have been detected and LPG brought into the discussion
the sulphur content to levels comparable to conventional fuels. Currently
to secure options for the future, be it the inclusion of LPG in the
AEGPL managed to maintain in the focus an intermediate step to 30 ppm.
definition of alternative fuels in several legislative papers, or the
Any significant change relating to Autogas will undoubtedly have an
ongoing effort to have LPG accepted as a fuel for the transport of
impact on the whole LPG supply chain, as the delivery of Autogas often
dangerous goods. The success of this group relies heavily on the great
needs to be coordinated with bulk retail to commercial and residential
participation from the industry.
thus maintaining a strong presence in the current political discussion
customers. Harmonising filling stations specifications will be dealt with
29.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
AEGPL
CONGRESS 2014
In May 2014, more than 1400
professionals from the LPG industry
attended the AEGPL Congress in Genoa.
The theme of this year’s congress
was “Today’s successes, tomorrow’s
opportunities.”
High-level speakers from the LPG field and from many industries for which
LPG provides significant contributions, presented the latest developments
in the business. They also discussed the industry’s potential for growing in
a number of sectors, including Autogas and residential heating.
More than 90 companies coming from all over the world took part in the
exhibition, in which, as always, they presented their cutting-edge products
and innovations to an international audience of buyers, sellers and users.
30.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
31.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
AEGPL
SOME OF OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
“AEGPL’s support was crucial in demonstrating to our government the benefits of Autogas and its
current use as a green fuel across Europe. The information about similar legislation from other
European countries that AEGPL could put forward during the meeting was critical in convincing
the Czech authorities to change their draft law. We very much appreciate this support, having
spent two years trying to get this amendment.”
Ales Petru, CALPG
“AEGPL’s technical and policy working groups are more than
just Forums for discussion. They allow us to influence the
regulations and policies that directly impact our bottom
line, as well as understand better how we need bring our
products and business into line with those regulations.”
Andrew Ford, SHV Energy
CASE STUDY
THE ENERGY
EFFICIENCY DIRECTIVE
Did you know that unlike other energy
CASE STUDY
sectors, the LPG sector is not necessarily
subject to costly energy efficiency obligation
schemes that require companies to
AEGPL Helpdesk
AEGPL’s helpdesk is the service offered to members providing them
specialised intelligence and accurate information. Information about
legislation, regulations, and business practices across European countries.
AEGPL Helpdesk continued offering its services to members through 2014,
shedding light on a large number of issues, amongst which:
· Implementation of Energy Efficiency Directive;
· List of OEM Autogas vehicles
participate in covering the cost of energy
saving measures performed by their clients?
AEGPL successfully argued that due to the
limited size of the LPG sector and many of
the companies working in it, that applying
the scheme to LPG would cost too much for
both the consumer and the LPG company.
A special provision was then introduced
allowing Member States to exempt “small
· Overview of fuel station requirements (distances tanks & dispensers)
energy sectors” such as LPG. This alone
· Dry-Break Couplings and Break Away Couplings, Feedback, Experience, Reliability;
could potentially save the European
· Illegal Re-Filling of disposable LPG cylinders
industry millions of Euros.
· Impact of the inclusion of LPG cylinders in the Waste Packaging Directive
· National legislation on ownership of LPG bulk tanks
· Implementation of Fuel Quality Directive (CO2-values)
· Internal inspection of LPG cylinders during periodic requalifications
· Information and communication on sulphur content
· Standards for installation of mounded small bulk LPG customer tanks
· Periodic inspection of TPED cylinders, 10 years requirement
· Small Bulk LPG tanks and PRVs, Periodic Testing Requirements
· Stainless steel braided hoses for LPG rail and road tanker transfer
· Overview over fuel station requirements (distances tanks & dispensers)
32.
“Our collaboration with AEPGL has
been of great help in achieving the
goal of allowing Autogas cars in all
parking facilities. We are looking
forward to bringing the benefits of
Autogas to more drivers in Portugal
in the coming months and years.”
JA Oliveira, APETRO
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
“As a member of AEGPL’s energy efficiency and
energy taxation taskforces, I am able to ensure
that our business is aware of and able to adapt
to potential opportunities and threats from
new Regulations and Directives.”
Armando Viçoso, Repsol
“In addition to networking opportunities and
expertise on European legislation that AEGPL
offer, as a member, we receive first choice on
our exhibition booths at the AEGPL Congress
with a membership discount.”
Pulat Oktay, Aygaz
“70% of new laws are now formulated in Brussels
– the AEGPL Team is not only our eyes and ears
in Brussels, but also assists us with regulatory
challenges we face here in the UK by providing
examples from other European countries.”
Rob Shuttleworth, UKLPG
CASE STUDY
Periodic inspection of LPG road
tankers - Alternatives to the
hydraulic testing
The third revised request for ADR to allow alternative methods
to hydraulic testing for periodic inspection of LPG tankvehicles, was accepted in 2014, which was a very significant
success for the LPG industry. The maturing of the subject in
the mind of the participants, the extensive consultation with
all stakeholders and especially the input and participation
of the AEGPL experts, were key factors of this success. This
is a pioneering step for the LPG industry and its experts,
a step to be followed now by the rail industry and also by
CASE STUDY
Illegal Exports of LPG Cylinders
The illegal export of LPG cylinders to countries outside the
European Union represents a growing problem for the LPG
industry. The number of instances of illegally exported
cylinders occurring in the past years has increased, and
has been clearly linked in a number of cases with organized
international criminal activity.
Instead of being returned to their original distributor, a
significant number of cylinders are purposely taken out
of the normal distribution chain and illegally shipped to
non-EU countries, mainly to Africa. The theft of pressurized
gas cylinders is of particular and grave concern not only
for the LPG industry, but for society as a whole since it
creates safety issues due to the potentially hazardous
consequences of incorrect handling and transport of such
cylinders. While it is difficult to calculate the total value of
these thefts across Europe, the LPG industry in the United
Kingdom alone believes cylinder theft to around 200,000
cylinders per year at a value of over €10 million.
AEGPL has therefore enquired members to assess the
problem on a European scale, with a view to advocating
more effective enforcement of regulations by the relevant
customs groups and public authorities. AEGPL has
also sent an official letter to the European Commission
Directorate General responsible for customs matters and
the Secretariat of the Customs 2013 Programme, which
is an EU initiative responsible for strengthening security
and safety at EU ports. AEGPL requested the letter to be
circulated among the relevant Working Groups as a means
of highlighting this potentially dangerous problem to
customs operators across the EU.
other products. AEGPL will assist further in supporting these
subsequent requests.
33.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
AEGPL
MEMBERS 2014
National Associations
CountryName
WEBSITE
Austria
www.fluessiggas.eu
Österreichischer Verband für Flüssiggas (ÖVFG) Belgium
Federatie Butaan Propaan/Federation Butane and Luxembourg Propane (FeBuPro) www.febupro.be
Czech Republic Česká asociace LPG (CALPG) www.calpg.cz
Denmark
Energie-og Olieforum (EOF) www.eof.dk/LPG.aspx
France
Comité Français du Butane et du Propane (CFBP) www.cfbp.fr
Germany
Deutsche Verband Flüssiggas (DVFG) www.dvfg.de
Hungary
Magyar PB Gázapari Egyesület
www.mpe-pbgaz.hu
Ireland
Irish LP Gas Association
www.ilpga.ie
34.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
National Associations
CountryName
WEBSITE
Italy
Assogasliquidi Federchimica assogasliquidi.federchimica.it
Netherlands
Vereniging Vloeibaar Gas (VVG) www.vvg-nederland.nl
Portugal Associação Portuguesa
de Empresas Petrolíferas (APETRO) www.apetro.pt
Slovenia
GIZ UNP
Spain
Asociación Española de Operadores de Gases Licuados Del Petróleo www.aoglp.com
Ukraine
Ukrainian LPG Association
www.uasg.com.ua
United Kingdom UKLPG www.uklpg.org
35.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
AEGPL
MEMBERS 2014
LPG Distributors
nAMEWEBSITE
Autogas Nord Spa. GRUPPO
AUTOGAS
NORD
www.autogasnord.it
Aygaz www.aygaz.com.tr
Butagaz
www.butagaz.fr
Flogas
www.flogas.co.uk
Repsol YPF
www.repsol.com
SHV Energy www.shvenergy.com
Total
www.total.com
UGI Corporation www.ugicorp.com
Veroniki Holding www.veronikiholding.it
Affiliates
nAMEWEBSITE
Algas-SDI
www.algas-sdi.com
Amtrol Alfa www.amtrol-alfa.com 36.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
Affiliates
nAMEWEBSITE
Argus Media www.argusmedia.com
Camping Gaz www.flogas.co.uk
Cavagna Spa. www.cavagnagroup.com
Charles Andre www.charlesandre.com
GLI International www.gli-gaz.com
IHS Global www.ihs.com
Lloyd’s Register Consulting Energy
www.lr.org/en/energy
Mann Tek
www.mann-tek.com
PrestaCylinders
www.prestagaz.lu
Rego
www.rego-europe.de
Rochester Gauges
www.rochester-gauges.be
ROVIP
www.en.rovip.com
Sibur nternational
www.sibur-int.com
VOIGT
www.voigtsoftware.com
World LPG Association
www.wlpga.org
37.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
AEGPL
MEMBERS 2014
AEGPL PUBLICATIONS
EUROPEAN LPG ASSOCIATION
YOUR GUIDE
TO THE EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENT
2014-2019
HOW MANY MEPS FROM
?
MY COUNTRY ARE IN
THE KEY COMMITTEES?
HOW IS THIS
PARLIAMENT
DIFFERENT
TO THE LAST?
WHO ARE THE
KEY PLAYERS?
WHAT ARE THE KEY COMMITTEES
FOR THE ENERGY SECTOR?
? HOW DO THE POLITICAL GROUPS
INFLUENCE THE POLICY PROCESS?
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT?
WHO SITS IN THE
TRANSPORT COMMITTEE?
© Argus Media Ltd. PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
European LPG Sector
Overview 2014
This copy is licensed to: AEGPL members
Copyright © 2014 Argus Media Ltd. All rights reserved.
1
38.
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LPG
Association
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ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
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