Air quality
European Directives
The Sulphur Content of Liquid Fuels Directive (1999/32/EC)
The purpose of the Sulphur Content of Liquid Fuels (SCLF) Directive is to reduce emissions of sulphur dioxide resulting from the combustion of heavy fuel oil and gas oil.
The SCLF Directive was adopted on 26 April 1999. The Directive is one of the legislative mechanisms to implement the EU Acidification Strategy. The Strategy is intended to reduce emissions of acidifying pollutants which are carried by the wind and have harmful effects on ecosystems, human health, vegetation and buildings, often hundreds of kilometres from their source.
- The existing SCLF Directive limits the sulphur content in gas oil (including marine gas oil) to 0.2% (by mass) and to 0.1% (by mass) from 1 July 2008, and for heavy fuel oil the sulphur content shall not exceed 1% by mass . The SCLFD does not, however, apply to other liquid fuels used by sea-going ships.
The SCLF Directive was implemented in England and Wales, through the Sulphur Content of Liquid Fuels (England and Wales) Regulations (Statutory Instrument 2000 No. 1460).
- The Sulphur Content of Liquid Fuels (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 (on OPSI website)
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Page last modified: 30 July 2008