Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, in a written answer on 12 June 2026, outlined the European Commission's approach to fuel price monitoring and competition enforcement, responding to concerns from MEP Paolo Inselvini (ECR) about possible distortions in petroleum product markets. Jørgensen confirmed that the Commission tracks energy prices via its weekly Oil Bulletin and analyses refining capacities, but stressed that the REMIT regulation, which targets market abuse in wholesale energy, does not cover mineral oil markets. He noted that atypical pricing alone does not indicate a breach of EU competition rules, but that the Commission and national authorities can investigate under Articles 101 and 102 TFEU if there are signs of anti-competitive agreements or abuse of dominance.
The answer, to a question submitted on 9 April 2026, comes amid a surge in fuel retail prices in several member states that appeared disproportionate to crude oil price rises. Jørgensen pointed to concrete action already taken: on 29 April 2026, the Commission launched infringement proceedings against Hungary and Slovakia for discriminatory fuel pricing measures, and Slovakia has since lifted them. He also referenced the AccelerateEU initiative, proposed on 22 April 2026, which aims to provide temporary relief to consumers while avoiding fragmented national responses.
Jørgensen's response signals a cautious stance on expanding EU-level oversight of oil markets, declining to extend REMIT's scope or commit to new investigations. Instead, the Commission relies on existing competition tools and targeted infringement actions. The answer offers no new numerical targets or deadlines, but reaffirms ongoing monitoring. Institutional follow-up is likely to focus on the infringement cases and the implementation of AccelerateEU, with no immediate signal of broader regulatory reform for petroleum products.
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