Renewable fuel standards extended to low-carbon fuels

King Philippe signed a royal decree on August 27, 2026, amending the product standards applicable to renewable and recycled carbon fuels for transport. The text, proposed by the Minister for Environmental Transition J.-L. Crucke, was published in the Belgian Official Gazette on September 15, 2026, page 50016, under reference [C − 2026/006465].

The decree partially transposes Article 9 of Directive (EU) 2024/1788 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 13, 2024, on common rules for the internal markets in renewable gas, natural gas, and hydrogen. It is based on the Law of December 21, 1998, regarding product standards, and amends the royal decree of December 17, 2021, which had itself been amended by the royal decree of January 16, 2025.

A scope expanded to low-carbon fuels

The core of the reform consists of extending the scope of product standards to low-carbon fuels and low-carbon gases intended for the transport sector, which are added to the renewable and recycled carbon fuels already covered. The very title of the royal decree of December 17, 2021, is replaced to reflect this extension.

Three new definitions are inserted into Article 2 of the amended decree:

• 13°/1 — low-carbon fuel for transport: fuel based on recycled carbon, low-carbon hydrogen, or synthetic fuel, whose energy content is derived from low-carbon hydrogen;
• 13°/2 — low-carbon gas for transport: the gaseous portion of these fuels, complying with the greenhouse gas emissions reduction threshold;
• 13°/3 — low-carbon hydrogen: transport hydrogen derived from non-renewable sources.

An emissions reduction threshold of 70%

Low-carbon fuels and gases must comply with a greenhouse gas emissions reduction threshold of 70% compared to the reference fossil fuel, in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1185 of February 10, 2023, supplementing Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

The new Article 8/1 establishes a verification procedure: when the product declaration aims to provide proof, the competent authority checks the compliance of each batch of low-carbon fuel or gas with the emissions reduction criterion. A compliant batch is recognized as a batch of low-carbon fuel or gas for transport.

The new Article 11/1 specifies that the emissions reduction resulting from the use of these fuels is calculated according to the method set by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/2359 of July 8, 2025, supplementing Directive (EU) 2024/1788.

A consultative adoption procedure

Prior to its signature, the text was subject to extensive consultation. Regional governments were involved in its drafting on February 17, 2026, and it was brought to the attention of several bodies on April 20, 2026:

• the Federal Council for Sustainable Development;
• the Superior Health Council;
• the Special Advisory Commission on Consumption;
• the Central Economic Council.

The opinion of the Finance Inspector was provided on May 29, 2026. The request for an opinion addressed to the Council of State was registered on July 17, 2026, under number 79.847/1/V; the legislation section decided on July 22, 2026, not to issue an opinion within the requested timeframe. The Minister of the Environment is responsible for the execution of the decree.

A step toward the decarbonization of transport

By integrating low-carbon fuels and gases within the framework of product standards, this royal decree provides operators with a clear regulatory framework for placing these transition energies on the market. It is part of the Belgian and European energy-climate strategy, offering producers and distributors harmonized criteria for sustainability and emission reductions, while preparing the transport sector for the diversification of its energy mix.

Official source: Belgian Official Gazette (Belgisch Staatsblad), 196th year, no. 208, Tuesday, September 15, 2026, p. 50016 — Royal Decree of August 27, 2026, amending the Royal Decree of December 17, 2021, establishing product standards for fuels intended for the transport sector of renewable origin and for fuels or fuels based on recycled carbon intended for the transport sector, reference [C − 2026/006465].