Finance
EU to soften gas authorisation rules to help secure LNG supplies, diplomats say
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 12, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 12, 2026
Quick Summary
EU will issue guidance by March 18 instructing member states to apply the prior‑authorisation rule for non‑Russian LNG more flexibly — easing proof‑of‑origin timing to avoid delays amid heightened gas‑supply risks.
EU to Soften Gas Authorisation Rules and Secure LNG Supplies Amid Crisis
EU Flexibility on Gas Import Rules to Safeguard Energy Security
By Kate Abnett
Commission Guidance on Gas Import Regulations
BRUSSELS, March 12 (Reuters) - The European Commission will instruct governments to be flexible in enforcing EU rules on gas imports, diplomats told Reuters on Thursday, amid fears they could hold up liquefied natural gas deliveries needed to stabilise supplies during the Iran crisis.
The Commission plans to issue guidance before March 18 on how to apply rules within the European Union's law to phase out Russian gas, the diplomats said.
Objective of the New Guidance
The guidance marks an attempt by Brussels to prevent its Russia phaseout rules from inadvertently choking Europe's gas supply at a moment of vulnerability. It would not affect the EU's phase-out of Russian gas.
Impact of Global LNG Flows and Authorisation Rules
With the Iran conflict rattling global LNG flows and raising the risk of cargo diversions, EU officials fear rigid enforcement could delay or strand shipments, undermining the bloc's ability to keep storage adequately stocked and safeguard energy security heading into next winter.
Details of the Prior Authorisation Requirement
The rules in question require that shipments of LNG from certain non-Russian countries receive "prior authorisation" - meaning companies must provide European customs authorities with proof of the gas's origin five days before it arrives in the EU.
Countries Affected by the Rules
The main country affected by a softening of the "prior authorisation" rules would be Azerbaijan, which last year supplied 4% of EU gas imports.
Exemptions for Main Gas Suppliers
The EU has already said its main gas suppliers, including Norway and the U.S., will not face the prior authorisation rules since the EU deems the risk of Russian gas entering their exports to be low.
Industry Response to the Rules
Europe's gas industry had already asked Brussels to temporarily suspend the rules on prior authorisation.
"We simply cannot afford that a single flexible LNG cargo is delayed in port, stranded at sea, or rerouted to Asia because prior authorisation is unclear or pending," industry group Eurogas said in a statement on Thursday.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Kate Abnett; additional reporting by Julia Payne; Editing by Jan Harvey)
Key Takeaways
- •Prior authorisation requires evidence of country of production at least five working days before entry for non‑Russian gas, but key suppliers like the U.S., Norway, Qatar, Algeria, Nigeria and the U.K. are exempt under recent rules, lightening burdens. (reedsmith.com)
- •The guidance, due by March 18, aims to prevent rigid enforcement of rules undermining LNG supply amid the Iran conflict, without altering the EU’s broader phase‑out of Russian gas. (data.consilium.europa.eu)
- •Industry groups such as Eurogas warn that unclear or delayed prior authorisation could strand LNG cargos or divert them to Asia, threatening Europe’s energy security. (eurogas.org)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about EU to soften gas authorisation rules to help secure LNG supplies, diplomats say
1Why is the EU softening gas authorisation rules?
The EU is softening gas authorisation rules to avoid delays in LNG shipments and safeguard energy security amid the ongoing Iran crisis.
2Will the softened rules affect the EU's phase-out of Russian gas?
No, the softened rules will not affect the EU's phase-out of Russian gas. The phase-out policy remains unchanged.
3Which countries are mainly impacted by the change in authorisation rules?
Azerbaijan is the main country affected since it supplied 4% of EU gas imports last year.
4What is the purpose of the 'prior authorisation' requirement for LNG imports?
The 'prior authorisation' rule requires proof of origin for LNG shipments from certain non-Russian countries to prevent Russian gas from entering the EU.
5How have industry groups responded to the EU's authorisation rules?
Industry groups have called on Brussels to temporarily suspend the prior authorisation rules to avoid delays in LNG cargoes.
