CO2 transport infrastructure becomes a regulated 'installation' under the EU ETS, bringing its operator fully into the permitting, monitoring, reporting, verification and surrender regime.

Operators of CO2 transport infrastructure (e.g. pipelines) must comply, and this is not law yet.

Why it matters

This is a Commission proposal: it is not law yet, and it can change before it is.

It is Art. 1(2)(a), replacing Art. 3(e) of Directive 2003/87/EC, in the EU ETS revision. as of 2026-08-14
The act gives its timing as: from 1 January 2031, per Art. 3(1)(a)(II) transposition schedule. as of 2026-08-14
It names one industry by name: Carbon capture and storage. as of 2026-08-14
Compliance is checked by accredited third party, n/a. as of 2026-08-14

Addressee Operators of CO2 transport infrastructure (e.g. pipelines)Act COM(2026) 616 final, 2026/0212 (COD)Article Art. 1(2)(a), replacing Art. 3(e) of Directive 2003/87/ECClass Businesses

The rule

New — no predecessor

Trigger

entity carries out the activity of transport of carbon dioxide listed in Annex I

Obligation

CO2 transport infrastructure becomes a regulated 'installation' under the EU ETS, bringing its operator fully into the permitting, monitoring, reporting, verification and surrender regime.

Who is affected

Addressee

Operators of CO2 transport infrastructure (e.g. pipelines)

Class

Businesses

Sectors

Names Carbon capture and fuels

Applies

from 1 January 2031, per Art. 3(1)(a)(II) transposition schedule

Burden drivers

D7 · D1 · D2 — 3 of 7 marks fire on this provision.

Source text

Verbatim

(ii) a CO2 transport infrastructure as defined in Article 3(29) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 of the European Parliament and of the Council* that carries out the activity of transport of carbon dioxide listed in Annex I;

View source →