EC urges member states to adopt delayed hydrogen, gas laws after most miss deadline

The European Commission has opened infringement procedures against most EU member states after all but Italy missed a deadline to adopt national laws on the hydrogen and decarbonized gas market, it said Sept. 25.

Member states had until Aug. 5 to notify the EC of the full transposition of the Hydrogen and Decarbonized Gas Directive, adopted in 2024.

The new directive updates the rules on the EU natural gas market, and includes a regulatory framework for dedicated hydrogen infrastructure.

"The rules aim to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, while ensuring security of supply and affordability of energy for all EU citizens," the EC said.

Industry group Hydrogen Europe said the national-level legislation was critical for building the continent's hydrogen infrastructure, and welcomed the EC's move.

"Development of the European Hydrogen Backbone depends entirely on the timely transposition of the rules on the hydrogen and decarbonized gas market," Hydrogen Europe Chief Policy Officer Daniel Fraile told Platts by email on Sept. 25. "While some member states have already implemented the core rules regarding the hydrogen market, a complete and timely transposition is crucial as it provides regulatory and financial visibility for hydrogen projects."

Fraile said the hydrogen industry needed the market certainty that comes with full EU-wide transposition of the relevant regulations and directives.

Planned European hydrogen infrastructure is already facing delays, as a reality check in Europe's energy transition, which has stalled infrastructure projects and pushed back development timelines.

First hydrogen flows on the planned European Hydrogen Backbone pipeline grid are expected from 2027 along small sections of local networks, before larger sections are connected from around the end of the decade, infrastructure developers say.

EC measures

To date, only Italy has notified the full transposition, leaving the EC to issue formal notices to the other 26 member states.

They have two months to respond, complete the transposition and notify the commission, the EC said.

The EC could issue a stronger warning, known as a "reasoned opinion," in the absence of a satisfactory response, it said.

The last step of infringement procedures is a referral to the EU Court of Justice.

The commission can propose that the court impose penalties, but the court would decide and establish such penalties.

In 2025, the EC took similar measures against all member states apart from Denmark over the transposition of renewable hydrogen consumption laws under the Renewable Energy Directive.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, last assessed Northwest European long-term renewable hydrogen offtake prices at €6.60/kg ($7.53/kg) on Sept. 1.