Commission's Gas website
A directive concerning common rules for the internal market of natural gas was adopted 22 June 1998. The directive abolishes exclusive rights and its fundamental objectives are transparency and non discrimination. Another important element is the harmonisation of existing rules and the identification of complementary measures in order to avoid 15 separate markets. This is the role of the Madrid Forum. A proposal to amend the existing directive will open the gas market for all non-household customers by July 2004, and for all customers by July 2007.


