4 June 2025
Yesterday, the ISCC Regional Stakeholder Committee (RSC) Europe convened at the Résidence Palace in Brussels, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to gather input for a position paper and discuss pressing topics in the biofuels industry.
We are pleased to report that the day’s talks and discussions were packed with in-depth discussions on regulatory developments, certification, and collaborative strategies to enhance the robustness and resilience of the certification system against fraud.
In his opening address, Rob Vierhout, Chairman of the ISCC Association, addressed ongoing concerns, saying that, in recent years, the regulatory environment for the use of renewables in transport has become highly complex both at the EU and national level. The more numerous and complex the rules become, the greater the risk of cutting corners. Moreover, we must acknowledge that, in many cases, incentives have also resulted in unwanted and adverse effects, such as fraud. He reminded attendees that the ISCC system is designed to minimise fraud, but it cannot eliminate it entirely without full cooperation and adherence from all involved parties.
Vierhout also called for an end to the oversimplification of attributing blame for fraud cases solely to voluntary certification schemes. ISCC understands the concerns, but Vierhout’s message to the stakeholders was clear: the way forward is more active collaboration and unity as we continue to build and improve a working system that verifies genuine and meaningful sustainability efforts worldwide.
ISCC’s co-chairs, Sascha Wüstenhöfer, Europe Advisory Team Lead – Low Carbon Fuels at Shell, and Timo Huhtisaari, Low-Carbon Fuels Lead at Glencore, provided introductory updates, acknowledging recent concerns while looking positively to how we can continue to work together to build on the trust established in the industry. It was highlighted that continuing the blame game will not lead to a solution; now is the time for all stakeholders to work together and focus on concrete actions. This set the tone for a day of lively discussions.
Key Updates: ISCC EU Certifications for Waste- and Residue-Based Biofuels
Dr Norbert Schmitz, Managing Director of ISCC, started his update with a reflection on the current situation. In particular, he provided an update on Germany’s notification to the European Commission regarding fraud allegations related to certifying and labelling biofuels imports from China, and the LinkedIn post that spread misleading information on the topic. This post has since been removed by the platform. He provided an overview of the additional measures implemented since 2022 and the action plan with specific measures which was agreed on with the Commission in 2024 and its implementation.
Furthermore, Schmitz provided recommendations for what more should be done, including institutional collaboration between European Commission, Member States authorities, and Voluntary Schemes to improve the fraud resilience of the overall Renewable Energy Directive (RED) system. Some economic operators have exploited gaps in the RED, Member State controls, and the certification framework, resulting in fraudulent claims regarding certified biofuels. Schmitz also admitted that no certification scheme is perfect, but that ISCC works to continuously improve its system and will implement whatever it takes to ensure integrity.
For a more detailed overview, see the full presentation.
Panel Discussion: Supply Chain Integrity – Responsibilities of Certification Systems, CBs, System Users, EC, and Member States
Before lunch, a panel discussion moderated by Timo Huhtisaari, brought together experts from various sectors to explore the shared responsibilities in maintaining supply chain integrity.
The panellists included Jean-Marie Mizzi (Fuels Europe), Angel Alberdi (EWABA), Xavier Noyon (EBB), Nicole de Groot (Dutch Emission Authority), Martin Michelot (TIC Council), and Inkeri Lilleberg (Neste).
The discussion underscored the urgent need for coordinated action, transparency, and enforcement to uphold trust in certification systems. Combining regulatory and industry perspectives, panellists emphasised the importance of robust legal frameworks and clear sanctions to deter fraud, with real-world enforcement already underway in the Netherlands.
We also heard about best practices from the TIC Council, where strict compliance codes and accreditation measures can serve as a model for other sectors. In support of the adoption of alternative fuels, another panellist called for greater transparency and follow-up after certificate withdrawals to reinforce accountability.
The discussion emphasised the importance of collaboration. From a regulatory perspective, one speaker encouraged closer cooperation among verification bodies, certification bodies, and authorities such as OLAF, while others advocated for enhanced oversight and alignment across member states.
As advocates for sustainable fuel adoption in the European market, panellists reflected on the pressures facing European biofuel producers but also highlighted the significant efforts already made on their part, including a detailed proposal to the European Commission, as proof of the industry’s commitment to long-term solutions.
The Union Database (UDB) was seen as a crucial step forward. Speakers called for its swift implementation to enable more targeted, risk-based oversight. Other proposed actions included expanding ISCC’s successful Integrity Assessments, improving data transparency, and enhancing due diligence across the supply chain.
Despite the current challenges, the panel conveyed a strong message: with the right actions and cooperation, the system can become more resilient, credible, and fair for all stakeholders.
Collaborative Workshop: Drafting a Position Paper for the Forthcoming Implementing Regulation
In the afternoon, participants took part in a collaborative workshop to draft a position paper for the forthcoming Implementing Regulation. The aim of this exercise was to identify gaps in the existing certification framework and to utilise this position paper to address concerns directly to the European Commission. The 90-minute session, moderated by Timo Huhtisaari, actively engaged our participating stakeholders in shaping the direction of ISCC’s future position in Europe.
During the session, we held a poll inviting all attendees to vote on key measures presented earlier by Schmitz. This interactive element helped capture immediate stakeholder input on critical topics, including positive feedback on the significant progress that ISCC has already made in implementing clear, practical measures that will improve the situation.
Simultaneously, ISCC began drafting a live “Outline Position Paper” to gather input and shape recommendations for the upcoming Implementing Regulation. Acting as a collaborative workshop, the session focused on five core areas: registration checks, waste and residues audits, transparency, and both the verification and certification frameworks. Participants had the opportunity to voice their views and contribute directly to the development of the regulatory outline.
Concluding Remarks and Next Steps
Andreas Feige, Managing Director of ISCC, summarised the day’s discussions and outlined the next steps. He emphasised the importance of continued collaboration and joint action among stakeholders to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and to strengthen the integrity of sustainability certifications.
For him, one aspect that was particularly interesting to observe was the high level of participation in the discussion and polls, exceeding his expectations for engagement. Lastly, Feige announced that the drafted position paper from the workshop will be shared with participants, published on our homepage, sent to the European Commission and serve as a basis for discussions with EU member states.