Biofuels: "no proven fraud involving imports from China", conclusion of an EC investigation

The information gathered by the European Commission as part of its investigation into allegations of fraud, notified by Germany in 2023, concerning imports of biofuels from China has not made it possible to confirm the existence of fraud, the European Commission said on 18/07/2025.

It said it had "identified certain systemic weaknesses in the way certification audits were carried out" and was taking measures "to remedy them". "The German authorities may, if they wish to do so, carry out further checks or investigations", it states.

In March 2023, the European Commission received a notification from the German authorities concerning an alleged fraud involving imports of biodiesel from China. It carried out an assessment of the situation, as provided for in Article 30(10) of the Renewable Energy Directive (EU/2018/2001). In cooperation with the German authorities, the Commission interviewed stakeholders and examined the audit reports of the voluntary certification scheme that had certified the economic operators concerned.

" In accordance with Article 30(10) of the Renewable Energy…