(1)

Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/1197 (2) authorised Poland to apply reduced rates of excise duty to heavy fuel oil, natural gas, coal and coke, used as heating fuels, in accordance with Article 19 of Directive 2003/96/EC. That authorisation expired on 30 June 2023.

(2)

By letter dated 30 June 2023, Poland requested authorisation to continue to apply reduced rates of excise duty to heavy fuel oil, natural gas, coal and coke, used as heating fuels, pursuant to Article 19 of Directive 2003/96/EC, which fall below the minimum levels of taxation referred to in Article 9 of that Directive. The Polish authorities provided additional information and clarifications in support of the request on 8 September 2023, and on 5 and 13 October 2023. They requested the authorisation for a period of six months from 1 July 2023 until 31 December 2023.

(3)

According to the Polish authorities, the application of a reduced tax rate aims at mitigating the negative impact that would have been caused by an increase in the levels of taxation due to a high exchange rate between the euro and the złoty, in accordance with Article 13 of Directive 2003/96/EC. That reduction would correspond to the amount resulting from the exchange-rate difference after the annual adjustment carried out in accordance with Article 13 of that Directive.

(4)

The authorisation requested is not likely to distort competition or hinder the proper functioning of the internal market. Given its short duration and the exceptional circumstances linked to the geopolitical situation, the authorisation requested is appropriate and proportionate. The authorisation strikes a balance between the specific policy objectives referred to in Article 19(1) of Directive 2003/96/EC, in particular the Union’s environmental policy, and the need to ensure energy affordability for businesses and households. The tax reduction would partially offset the increased energy costs and is not cumulative with any other type of tax reductions.

(5)

Poland should therefore be authorised to continue to apply reduced rates of excise duty to heavy fuel oil, natural gas, coal and coke, used as heating fuels, as requested.

(6)

Pursuant to Article 19(2) of Directive 2003/96/EC, each authorisation granted under that provision is to be limited in time. However, in order not to undermine future general developments of the existing legal framework, it is appropriate to provide that, in the event that the Council, acting on the basis of Article 113 or any other relevant provision of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, introduces a modified general system for the taxation of energy products and electricity with which this authorisation would not be compatible, this authorisation should cease to apply on the day on which that modified general system becomes applicable.

(7)

In order to ensure a smooth tackling of the adverse effects for consumers of high prices of energy products, at the moment where the impact was the biggest due to high inflation and rising prices, it should be ensured that Poland may apply the tax reduction, as requested, with effect from 1 July 2023.

(8)

This Decision is without prejudice to the application of Union rules regarding State aid,