1. Flaring with a destruction and removal efficiency by design level below 99 % and venting of methane from drainage systems shall be prohibited from 1 January 2025, except in the case of an emergency or a malfunction, or where unavoidable and strictly necessary for maintenance and except venting in accordance with paragraph 2. In such cases, drainage station operators shall vent only if flaring is not technically feasible or risks endangering safety of operations or personnel. In such a situation, as part of the reporting obligations set out in Article 23, drainage station operators shall demonstrate to the competent authorities the necessity of venting instead of flaring.