Environmental fee on lubricating oils drops 37% from October
Companies that register lubricating oils in Italy will pay less from next month. The Italian National Consortium for Used Oils (Consorzio Nazionale degli Oli Usati, CONOU) has cut the environmental contribution from 19 cents per kilogram to 12 cents, a reduction of 7 cents that takes effect on 1 October 2026.
The consortium's board approved the change on 30 July 2026. The announcement was made public on 21 September.
What prompted the cut
The reduction follows a commitment CONOU made six months ago, when it last raised the fee. At the time, the consortium told its member companies and the council that it would revise the fee downward as soon as market conditions allowed the legal reserve to stabilise.
Lubricant base prices drove the decision. In February, those prices fell to around €600 per tonne. The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz then forced a sharp reversal, according to CONOU. Quotations tripled, far outpacing the rise in crude oil prices.
The consortium said the new fee brings the contribution below the level set in December 2025, when the first increase took effect. The decision reflects what CONOU called a "rapid return to more normal values" for the environmental contribution.
Where the money goes
The fee funds the Italian system for collecting and regenerating used mineral oils through the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) — where those who place products on the market also finance their end-of-life management.
In 2025, the consortium directed 83% of its resources to collection and regeneration. Only 17% covered the consortium's own operations. The system transforms hazardous waste into a resource, reducing imports and CO2 emissions.
What this means for businesses
The cut will lower costs for companies that place lubricating oils on the Italian market. The fee applies to mineral oils used in cars, industrial machinery and equipment, and appears as a line item linked to those products.
CONOU noted that the sector's cohesion made the adjustment possible. Companies accepted increases between late 2025 and early 2026 to keep the collection and regeneration system working. The consortium says that cooperation is now being rewarded with a lower fee.
