The informal agreement reached between the Council and the European Parliament on safety of offshore oil and gas operations was backed by the Permanent Representatives Committee of the Council. To enter into force it still needs to be formally approved by the Parliament and by the Council - after the plenary vote in the Parliament.

The Permanent Representatives Committee of the Council endorsed the agreement reached with the European Parliament on 21 February on the directive on safety of offshore oil and gas operations. The new regulatory framework aims at reducing the occurrence of major accidents related to offshore oil and gas operations and to limit their consequences.

According to the Council, the new framework proposed will increase the protection of the marine environment and costal economies against pollution. It establishes minimum conditions for safe offshore exploration and exploitation and improves the response mechanisms in the event of an accident.

Offshore oil and gas operations will only be conducted by operators appointed by licensees or licensing authorities, says the compromise text. The directive also contains provisions ensuring the independence and objectivity of the competent authority. To prevent conflicts of interest, member states should ensure a clear separation between regulatory functions relating to offshore safety and environment and regulatory functions relating to economic development, including licensing and revenues management.