The European Commission say the likelihood of a major offshore accident remains unacceptably high.
The Commission is proposing a new law to tighten up safety in the oil and gas industry across the EU.
The move comes as a reaction to an explosion at BP's Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico which killed 11 workers and left 4.9 million barrels of oil pumping into the sea in April 2010.
But North Sea industry leaders say they're opposed to blanket regulations which they say will undermine safety by complicating the system.
Under the new legislation, operators will be scrutinised by an independent body.
Oil and gas companies will be held fully liable for environmental damages caused to marine species and natural habitats in the event of a major disaster.
Offshore firms will be required to detail what their contingency plans are and what equipment they will use to stop oil leaking into the sea.
It took engineers several months to design and drill a relief well to stop the flow of oil.
MEP Alyn Smith, for SNP, said: "We have got nothing to fear from these proposals but we have got to make sure they do not grow legs as the process is going forward.
"We will certainly make sure the interests of the Scottish industry are put first and foremost."
Norway is the only European country which currently operates deep-sea drilling, but others want to follow their example.
That includes the UK, which plans to drill to up to 1600m off the west coast of Shetland.
A major accident in EU waters is estimated to cost up to €915m (£804m) a year, based on the damage caused and the cost of clean-up.
The new rules could come into force by 2013 for planned platforms and the year after for existing ones.
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