The Commission has partially activated the new Union registry to enable access for aircraft operators. This means a further step in the implementation of the inclusion of aviation in the EU's emissions trading system (EU ETS).

The European Commission has announced that the new Union registry to enable access for aircraft operators has been partially activated. Currently, allowances are held in accounts in electronic registries administered by Member States. The single Union registry operated by the Commission will ensure the accurate accounting of all emission allowances issued under the EU ETS and keep track of the ownership. This is one of the measures proposed by the Commission in February 2011 to tackle fraud in EU Emissions Trading System registries.

From now on, aircraft operators can open accounts in the Union registry. Account requests and all required supporting documentation shall be verified by the relevant national administrator. Aircraft operators with an open account will be able to receive free allocation as determined by their administering Member State. All aircraft operators covered by the EU ETS have to open an account in the Union registry. Based on a benchmark published by the Commission in September 2011 Member States calculate the amount of allowances to be allocated for free to each aircraft operator in accordance with the rules set out in the EU ETS Directive.

With their registry, aircraft operators will neither be able to transfer their aviation allowances, received on their accounts in the Union Registry, nor to receive general allowances or international credits in the Union Registry before full activation. In the meantime, aircraft operators who wish to trade general allowances and international credits can open an account in a national registry. Furthermore aircraft operators can enter into futures contracts for the delivery of allowances and units at a future date. After the full activation of the Union registry, aircraft operators will be able to transfer allowances and international credits with other participants in the EU ETS.