Brussels, 14 April 2025 – The European Biodiesel Board (EBB), representing biodiesel (HVO & FAME) producers in the EU, has welcomed the recognition of the importance of combating Annex IX biofuels fraud, and the fact that the Committee on the Sustainability of Biofuels, Bioliquids and Biomass fuels is discussing concrete measures to address it. “We consider fraud an existential threat for our industry, for the functioning of sustainability verification, and for the EU’s climate ambitions. The EU industry remains committed to high standards and full compliance with the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) sustainability criteria,” EBB said in a statement.
Putting an end to fraud
While respecting that the deliberations of this Committee are confidential, EBB asked legislators to allow inputs from the industry on such a matter of importance. The EBB stands ready to contribute to decisive measures that will enhance the credibility of sustainability verification and protect the European producers from unfair competition. To that effect, the EBB has already published a detailed proposal, that includes detailed amendments to EU rules that can be implemented immediately.
Verification
“In our verification system, there is an important role for voluntary schemes – by far the largest being the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) – and certification bodies. We ask both to dedicate more attention and resources to ensuring compliance, in particular on-site in third countries. Non-compliance should be met with tougher sanctions, making sure that only truly sustainable biofuels contribute to the RED objectives,” it further added.
The Secretary General of the European Biodiesel Board (EBB), Xavier Noyon, said compliance with the criteria laid out in the RED is an essential prerequisite for biofuels to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gasses in EU transport: “While the exact nature of the proposed solutions remains unclear, the EU industry appreciates the renewed ambition of EU legislators to tackle the issue. We need a systemic reform of the set verification rules that will guarantee that biofuels are compliant with Renewable Energy Directive (RED) criteria and restore the level playing field between producers in- and outside the EU.”
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