Proposal on EU Methane Regulation enforcement and penalties is sent for review

The EU Methane Regulation requires energy sector operators to measure, report and reduce their methane emissions. According to the Regulation, EU Member States must appoint an authority to oversee compliance with the obligations and lay down rules on penalties following non-compliance. The government proposal concerning the legislation will be circulated for review from 30 September to 21 October 2026.

The EU Methane Regulation has been in force and directly applicable in Finland since August 2024. Under the Constitution of Finland, provisions on the competent authority must be specified in an act. For that reason, enforcing compliance with the Regulation will only be possible after a national act has been adopted. However, the obligations laid down in the Regulation have been binding on operators since August 2024. 

The Act is a precondition for monitoring and enforcing the application of the Regulation in practice. Only after the act has been adopted may the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes), which is proposed to become the enforcement authority, organise its enforcement task, draw up instructions for operators, and create procedures for receiving and processing the information required by the Regulation.

Tukes is proposed as enforcement authority

Under the proposal, the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) would become the enforcement authority. The act would lay down provisions on the Agency’s right of inspection and right to obtain information as well as on the administrative sanctions that may be imposed for failure to comply with the obligations of the Regulation. The penalty payment would be imposed by the Market Court on the proposal of Tukes.

Proposed obligations imposed on operators