Italian Senate approves amendments to fuel decree

The Italian Senate has passed amendments to the fuel decree-law, moving the legislation to the Chamber of Deputies for final conversion into law. The measures introduce two significant changes regarding agricultural byproducts and e-commerce taxation.

First, the amendment expands the types of agro-industrial byproducts and residues that can be used in anaerobic digestion plants to produce clean energy and biomethane. By relaxing rigid Italian and European regulations, the law aims to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for farmers and plant managers, allowing for the better utilization of non-food agricultural residues. To prevent environmental risks, the law mandates that materials must not contain hazardous chemicals and requires rigorous technical documentation to ensure traceability and digestate quality.

Second, the Italian government has proposed a postponement for a tax on small packages arriving from non-EU countries. Originally intended to combat competition from Asian e-commerce platforms, the 2-euro contribution on shipments valued under 150 euros is now slated for implementation on January 1, 2027. The delay addresses concerns regarding logistics and the potential for goods to be rerouted through other EU customs hubs to avoid the levy.