Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry

FESI

FESI represents 1,800 sporting goods manufacturers and retailers across Europe, with 70-75% being small and medium-sized companies.

Lobbying Activity

Response to A strategic vision for sport in Europe: reinforcing the European sport model

2 Dec 2025

The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) warmly welcomes the European Commissions forthcoming Communication on a "Strategic Vision for Sport in Europe: Reinforcing the European Sport Model". We strongly support this timely initiative and look forward to contributing to the reflections that will shape the next phase of EU sport policy. As the voice of the sporting goods industry in Europe, FESI represents a sector that plays a central role in promoting sport participation and physical activity, driving innovation, and fostering healthy and active lifestyles. In 2022, approximately 5,400 EU-based sporting goods manufacturers generated 2.5 billion in value added, with total turnover reaching around 8.3 billion. Beyond its economic weight, our industry is also a key enabler of physical activity, providing the products and innovations that empower millions of Europeans to engage in sport every day. We are convinced that a strong, sustainable, and inclusive EU sport policy can deliver major benefits for public health, economic growth, and social cohesion. The need for such a policy has never been greater, as Europe faces overlapping crises: wars on its borders, a worrying physical inactivity crisis (affecting 31% of adults and 81% of adolescents, in line with WHO data), rising mental health challenges, and broader social strains. In this context, FESI would like to share the attached key recommendations to inform the upcoming Communication.
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Meeting with Dirk Gotink (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

6 Nov 2025 · Union Customs Code

Response to EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – EU funding for cross-border education, training and solidarity, youth, media, culture, and creative sectors, values, and civil society

20 Oct 2025

The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) strongly welcomes the European Commissions proposal to significantly reinforce the budget for Erasmus+, with an increase of 50% bringing the programme to a total of 40.8 billion. This ambition reflects the EUs commitment to empowering young people, strengthening education and training opportunities, and fostering social cohesion across borders. It also recognises the unique role of sport in these areas, as a powerful tool to promote learning, health, and inclusion. In line with our recent joint statement1, FESI believes this expansion of Erasmus+ is vital to ensure that future generations, including athletes, volunteers, and grassroots sport actors, benefit from more inclusive, accessible, and impactful opportunities. Sport, as a driver of education, social inclusion, and healthy lifestyles, should remain a central element of these EU ambitions. Erasmus+ has already shown its value in supporting sport-related initiatives, particularly those involving grassroots organisations, young athletes, volunteers, and coaches. Maintaining sport as an integral part of Erasmus+ is therefore crucial. We urge the European institutions to safeguard the programmes identity as a standalone initiative, ensuring its resources are protected and not diluted across other funding instruments. You can find more information about FESI's position in the attached document.
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Meeting with Stephane Mail Fouilleul (Head of Unit Taxation and Customs Union) and AIM - European Brands Association and

17 Oct 2025 · 12th Joint meeting of customs and right holders on customs enforcement of intellectual property rights

Sporting goods industry urges flexible cookie rules and AI relief

14 Oct 2025
Message — FESI supports a risk-based approach to gathering online consent rather than specific mechanisms. They call for targeted AI Act adjustments to provide legal clarity and avoid double regulation. The industry also seeks simplified product checks and testing environments to provide immediate relief.123
Why — Simplification would allow companies to concentrate their resources on innovation and competitiveness.4
Impact — Consumers lose strong privacy protections if strict and absolute consent requirements are removed.5

Response to Revision of the 'New Legislative Framework'

1 Sept 2025

Summary of FESIs Position on NLF The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI), representing 1,800 manufacturers across Europe (85% of the market, 7075% SMEs, 700,000 employees, 81 billion turnover), strongly welcomes the European Commissions revision of the New Legislative Framework (NLF). FESI views this as an opportunity to align product legislation with the EUs digital and circular transitions, reduce regulatory burdens, and harmonise rules for greater efficiency and effectiveness. Key Priorities: Digital-by-default information Product information (instructions, declarations of conformity, manufacturer identity, product composition, and non-critical safety data) should be provided in durable digital formats. Physical documentation should be limited to information strictly necessary for immediate user safety. Single digital entry point Each product should have one technology-neutral access point, ideally integrated into the Digital Product Passport (DPP), avoiding duplication of QR codes or portals under different laws. This ensures interoperability and simpler access for consumers, regulators, and supply chains. Clear allocation of obligations across EU laws The NLF should establish common rules for presenting and accessing information while leaving sustainability to the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), claims and labels to the Green Claims Directive (GCD), chemical safety to REACH, and product safety to the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). This prevents overlaps and contradictions across sectoral laws such as the Textile Labelling Regulation. Harmonised symbols and language requirements Uniform EU-level rules are needed to avoid fragmented national requirements that increase costs. Symbols or codes should remain voluntary, with digital explanations. Physical labels should focus on safety-critical information. Modernised conformity assessment Risk-based assessment routes should be introduced. Modular, re-usable documentation should be allowed, so unchanged technical files need not be resubmitted. Digital-by-default submissions to notified bodies should be standard, supported by stronger oversight and performance metrics (speed, consistency, digital processing rates). These reforms are especially vital for seasonal industries like sporting goods. Harmonised standards The NLF should strengthen the system of harmonised standards by streamlining citation in the Official Journal, providing adequate resources, ensuring timely assessment by HAS consultants, and improving coordination with CEN/CENELEC and international bodies. A pragmatic transition regime should allow reliance on the latest editions of standards without legal uncertainty. Market surveillance adapted to digitalisation and circularity Authorities should access compliance evidence through the products single digital entry point/DPP. This would enable more efficient and consistent enforcement across Member States. The NLF should also clarify responsibilities and liability for refurbishers and remanufacturers to facilitate safe reuse without excessive re-certification requirements. SME-friendly implementation The digital transition should be phased in using standardised data templates and timelines that avoid overlapping paper and digital requirements. Any physical-only obligations should be reviewed and phased out unless strictly justified. Conclusion: FESI calls for a targeted NLF revision that embeds digital integration, simplifies conformity assessment, aligns definitions, and improves oversight of notified bodies. These changes will cut administrative burdens, support sustainability, reduce environmental impact, improve consumer access to information, and strengthen market surveillanceall while maintaining high safety and compliance standards. Ultimately, this approach will create a more coherent, future-proof, and innovation-friendly product legislation framework for Europe.
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Meeting with Giulia Del Brenna (Head of Unit Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)

4 Jul 2025 · Introductory meeting with FESI

Meeting with Giorgio Guazzugli Marini (Head of Unit Education, Youth, Sport and Culture)

2 Jul 2025 · Exchange views on the upcoming plans for the European Week of Sport and the future communication around the EU Sport Model.

Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Google and

6 May 2025 · Copyright and generative AI

Sporting goods industry urges broader EU Taxonomy reporting exemptions

26 Mar 2025
Message — FESI requests that the 10% materiality threshold applies to individual activities instead of total operations. They also want exemptions from reporting eligibility for non-essential activities. Finally, they propose fully exempting companies with low eligible revenue.123
Why — This would significantly lower the cost and effort of regulatory compliance.4
Impact — Investors lose detailed data on activities that the industry considers non-material.5

Meeting with Wouter Beke (Member of the European Parliament, Delegation chair)

7 Mar 2025 · CEPA negotiations

Meeting with Agata Dziarnowska (Cabinet of Commissioner Glenn Micallef)

6 Mar 2025 · Introductory meeting.

FESI demands unified EU labeling to protect single market

30 Jan 2025
Message — FESI calls for a unified EU-wide labeling system using universal pictograms and digital QR codes. They urge standardized waste management and stronger enforcement to prevent conflicting national regulations.123
Why — Harmonized rules would reduce compliance costs and operational burdens for manufacturers.45
Impact — National authorities lose the ability to mandate specific local sustainability labels.67

Meeting with Pernille Weiss-Ehler (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

21 Feb 2024 · Directive on substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (Green Claims Directive)

FESI urges clearer GDPR guidance and better regulatory alignment

8 Feb 2024
Message — The industry requests practical guidance from national authorities to resolve confusion around data subject rights. They seek legal certainty on international transfers and better consistency between GDPR and new laws.12
Why — This would allow companies to reallocate resources from complex legal paperwork to general privacy.3
Impact — Counterfeiters and rogue sellers currently exploit data privacy rules to hide their identities.4

Meeting with Pernille Weiss-Ehler (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

7 Dec 2023 · Directive on substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (Green Claims Directive)

Meeting with Gilles Lebreton (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

14 Nov 2023 · Réforme du règlement Dessins et modèles

Meeting with Róża Thun Und Hohenstein (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Plastics Recyclers Europe

20 Oct 2023 · Waste Framework Directive revision

Response to Revision of EU rules on textile labelling

28 Sept 2023

Please find attached FESI comments on the TLR revision.
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Meeting with Pernille Weiss-Ehler (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

25 Aug 2023 · Directive on substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (Green Claims Directive)

Meeting with Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

15 May 2023 · Forced Labour

Meeting with Raphaël Glucksmann (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

15 May 2023 · APA level - Forced labour

Response to Virtual worlds, such as metaverse

3 May 2023

Please find our contribution in the attached document.
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Sporting goods industry urges flexible timelines for packaging labels

27 Mar 2023
Message — FESI calls for extended deadlines for new labels to prevent the destruction of existing inventory. They also recommend using digital QR codes to provide consumers with harmonized sorting information.123
Why — This would lower operational costs and preserve the structural integrity of reusable packaging.45

Response to Review of the Community Designs Regulation

31 Jan 2023

Please find our contribution in the attached document.
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Response to Review of the Designs Directive

31 Jan 2023

Please find our contribution in the attached document.
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Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and BUSINESSEUROPE and

25 Jan 2023 · Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and EUROPEAN TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION and

7 Nov 2022 · Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and BUSINESSEUROPE and

17 Oct 2022 · Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Meeting with Elena Montani (Cabinet of Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius), Rozalina Petrova (Cabinet of Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius) and

12 Oct 2022 · REACH restriction proposal on skin sensitisers in textiles and its implications

FESI warns against replicating flawed U.S. labor bans

20 Jun 2022
Message — FESI recommends that the Commission acknowledge industry-led initiatives. They urge the EU to avoid replicating the flawed U.S. import ban system. Companies should have a right to be heard before product withdrawal.123
Why — This prevents companies from being overburdened while protecting legitimate global business operations.45

European sporting goods industry seeks clearer due diligence rules

23 May 2022
Message — FESI requests a level playing field through harmonised regulation and clearer definitions for terms like value chains. They argue liability should be limited to a company's own actions and reporting must be simplified.123
Why — Narrowing the scope would reduce legal uncertainty and prevent excessive administrative burdens.45
Impact — Environmental groups lose direct oversight as industry seeks to remove climate targets.6

Response to Promoting sustainability in consumer after-sales

4 Apr 2022

The Sporting goods industry welcomes the opportunity to comment on the ‘Right To Repair initiative’. In the attached position paper you can see how our sector is building momentum to support the objectives of the EU Green Deal and has developed ambitious circular economy programs by improving new business models or investing in existing models including rental, resell and repairing.
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Response to Fight against counterfeiting

3 Mar 2022

Please find our contribution in the attached document.
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Response to Measures to reduce microplastic pollution

18 Jan 2022

The European Sporting Goods Industry is a responsible sector and is committed to addressing the unintentional release of microplastics from textiles in a proactive manner that is science and risk-based, realistic, enforceable, and proven to provide effective impact. We support the implementation of both policy and legislative measures to reduce the environmental presence and impact of unintentionally released microplastics from textiles. However, we draw attention to the knowledge gaps mentioned by the European Commission in the call for evidence and reiterate that if measures are not developed in an impact assessed and data driven manner they could be at best ineffective, or in a worst-case scenario counterproductive from both a microplastic perspective, but also a larger sustainability agenda. The textile and sporting goods industry has been working diligently over the last 4 years to develop a globally harmonised test method to systematically assess material loss from fabrics under standardised laundry conditions to achieve comparable and accurate results following concern around the reliability of early topic data. This was identified as a pre-requisite to developing feasible mitigation approaches and policy options. This method has now been verified through interlaboratory trials and the final stages of CEN certification are underway. This places the industry in a position to scale data rapidly on the quantification of fibre shedding from textiles. However, while the ability to quantify is a good starting point, this does not convert physical flows into environmental impact and there has yet to be reliable studies on the risk of different fibres in different environments. There are significant challenges in going from presence to impact which must be understood for every material, as well as how different materials are used in garments etc. The European Outdoor Group, along with our members and wider network of stakeholders are committed to addressing this challenge through a number of industry initiatives but require support from the European Commission. We have several detailed discussion points which can be found in the attached statement.
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Response to Towards the future Generalised Scheme of Preferences legal framework granting trade advantages to developing countries

15 Nov 2021

The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to renew the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Regulation (GSP). FESI firmly believes that the GSP, including the GSP+ and EBA regimes, contributes to the competitiveness of products from and to the sustainable development of developing countries and has proven to help the latter becoming more competitive, reduce poverty, build their domestic industries, increase employment and improve good governance. Free fair trade and open markets provide the best conditions for sustainable economic growth and decreasing levels of poverty in developing countries. FESI applauds the decision taken today by the Commission to renew the scheme for the next 10-year cycle. The GSP is the crown jewel of the EU Trade Policy. GSP, GSP+ and EBA programmes are all still relevant and offer the right degrees of incentives towards sustainable development. It is now crucial to make sure that the proposed rules are simple and predictable enough for companies. We would therefore like to share our comments (attached) on key features of the Commission’s GSP proposal. FESI is available and glad to further exchange and discuss these points with the Commission, Members of the European Parliament, the EU Member States and any other stakeholders.
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Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

22 Jun 2021 · ePrivacy

Meeting with Rozalina Petrova (Cabinet of Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius) and Policy Hub - Circularity for Apparel and Footwear and

15 Jun 2021 · Green claims, consumer empowerment, Textiles Strategy and EU sustainable product policy

Meeting with Helena Braun (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans) and Policy Hub - Circularity for Apparel and Footwear and

15 Jun 2021 · Green claims, consumer empowerment, Textiles Strategy and EU sustainable product policy

Meeting with Kevin Keary (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis)

25 Mar 2021 · EU-ASEAN relations

Response to Sustainable corporate governance

5 Oct 2020

The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) highly welcomes the opportunity to comment on the European Commission’s Inception Impact Assessment on “Sustainable corporate governance”. Among its membership, FESI counts a large number of companies that have been operating supply chain compliance management systems for several years. This contributed to significant improvements in their supply chains, whose complexity requires a large amount of time and effort in order to establish a consensus with numerous actors. Furthermore, FESI members are proactively engaging in a large number of public and private initiatives focused on improving supply chain conditions. Already today, the majority of FESI members and suppliers are committed to external review and verification exercises that add credibility to their efforts and programmes. Furthermore, sporting goods companies have a long-standing experience of being involved with and in global multi-stakeholder platforms such as ILO and OECD. Drawing from this long-standing and on-the-ground experience, FESI and its member are eager to share key learnings on due diligence and global value chains with EU decision-makers to ensure that the forthcoming legislation sustainably improves the management of global supply chains. FESI looks forward to an open dialogue and collaboration with the policy-makers and other relevant stakeholders in order to contribute constructively to further discussions on a comprehensive European wide approach on due diligence.
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Meeting with Lucrezia Busa (Cabinet of Commissioner Didier Reynders)

24 Sept 2020 · Sustainable corporate governance

Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and OXFAM INTERNATIONAL EU ADVOCACY OFFICE and

22 Sept 2020 · Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Response to Intellectual Property Action Plan

12 Aug 2020

FESI, the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry, highly welcomes the European Commission’s ambition to adopt an Intellectual Property Action Plan in order to improve the quality and consistency of the EU IP framework. We agree that ensuring a better enforcement of intellectual property (IP) is essential to make sure that the EU has in place well-calibrated and modern IP policies that contribute to the resilience and competitiveness of the EU’s economy and facilitate the digital and green transition, benefiting the EU society as a whole. The sporting goods industry is an innovative and IPR-intensive industry which constitutes 0.4% of all enterprises and 0.3% of all persons employed, turnover and value added of the total EU economy. At the same time, the sporting goods industry is one of the sectors most constantly and increasingly subject to infringements of its intellectual property rights (trademarks, patents, designs, and copyrights). In fact, counterfeiting costs our industry 7.7% of sales annually, which translates into EUR 1.1 billion of revenue, 6 579 direct and indirect jobs losses, and EUR 0.2 billion in government revenue. As outlined in the present roadmap, in addition to the massive economic loss, IPR infringement put at risk the safety of EU consumers, the protection of the environment, and citizens' trust in the digital world. For these reasons, FESI supports the Commission’s objective to better fight IP theft as well as ensuring global fair play and would like to make some suggestions that we think should be taken into consideration for further development and fine tuning of the future IP Action Plan: 1. Re-evaluating and modernizing the IPR Enforcement Directive and IP protection regimes. 2. Strengthening the responsibilities of online platforms through the Digital Services Act 3. Improving cooperation, information, and data sharing between platforms, rightsholders and authorities 4. Protecting EU businesses operating at global level FESI and all its members look forward to actively participating in the discussion on the development of the IP Action Plan roadmap and in any upcoming initiatives at EU level to tackle counterfeiting. For more information, please find also attached FESI comments on the IP Action Plan roadmap.
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Response to Digital Services Act: deepening the Internal Market and clarifying responsibilities for digital services

29 Jun 2020

FESI highly welcomes the European Commission’s ambition to adopt “new and revised rules increasing and harmonising the responsibilities of online platforms, and to reinforce the oversight over platforms’ content policies in the EU”. We agree that digital transformation has brought major benefits but also challenges, on top of which the online sale of counterfeit and dangerous products. 7,7 % of sales are lost in the sporting goods sector annually due to counterfeiting, which translates into €1,1 billion of revenue, 6 579 direct and indirect jobs losses, and €0,2 billion in government revenue (source: EUIPO (2020), Status Report on IPR infringement). For that reason, FESI supports the 2nd policy option outlined in the roadmap, which details a more comprehensive legal intervention, updating and modernizing the rules of the e-Commerce Directive. Ahead of the presentation of the Commission’s proposal on the Digital Services Act package (DSA), FESI would like to draw the attention on five key points that we think should be taken into consideration during the impact assessment: 1.Adopting proactive & preventing measures to fight against illegal products online:As highlighted by the Commission, the current e-Commerce Directive is outdated: online platforms are now playing a central role in all forms of electronic commerce. Marketplaces, social media and stand-alone websites are increasingly becoming an important source of income for criminal groups engaged in the sale of illegal products, including IPR infringing goods. Online platforms should play an increased role in proactively detecting and taking down illegal products. A “Good Samaritain” provision encouraging online platforms to take proactive measures within the context of liability exemption is not sufficient. FESI supports the undergoing assessment of the e-commerce Directive and believes that it should include a “due diligence” principle, under which platforms should implement any proactive and preventing measures in order to protect consumers and IPR holders against the promotion, marketing and sale of IPR infringing products. 2.Simplifying & harmonizing the notice & takedown (N&T) procedures: As indicated in the roadmap, there are increasing differences between the rules adopted by Member States related to N&T procedures. While speed is key to the efficiency of such procedures, it should be made possible for rightsholders (RH) to request the takedown of several URLs simultaneously. It is also essential that more specific replies are being sent in case of refusal to remove the content. Regarding takedowns, the reaction time differs also a lot from a platform to another, from 12 hours to a month. FESI believes that the term “expeditious” could be more strictly defined in the e-Commerce Directive. Such a N&T mechanism should also be complemented by a “stay down” obligation to make sure that the illegal content does not reappear. 3.Introducing new transparency & information requirements for online platforms: FESI supports the inclusion of “know your customer” schemes, as outlined in policy option 2 of the roadmap. We believe that platforms should develop effective seller verification systems that include identity verification schemes. The e-Commerce Directive should also include an obligation for any online marketplace operator who has come to learn that a product on its platform is a counterfeit, to inform consumers which have previously bought the corresponding product. 4.Optimizing use of technologies:Online platforms dispose of a wide range of technologies which they use on a day-to-day basis to develop their business interests. FESI invites platforms to deploy such existing technologies to tackle illegal products, rogue sellers and repeat infringers. 5.Strengthening information sharing with RH : To detect illegal goods, ban repeated offenders and break down supply chains, platforms should be more transparent and share more data with law enforcement and RH.
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Response to Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

27 Mar 2020

On 4 March 2020, the European Commission published the Inception Impact Assessments “Carbon border adjustment mechanism”. FESI welcomes the possibility to provide comments to it and would like to take this opportunity to present its view on the different options put forward by the European Commission.
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Meeting with Helena Braun (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans) and Global Fashion Agenda and Sustainable Apparel Coalition

30 Jan 2020 · circular economy and textiles

Response to Restriction of CMR substances in textile articles and clothing for consumer use under REACH

8 Mar 2018

The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (hereafter FESI), welcomes the opportunity to provide its contribution on the final proposal for the restriction of CMR substances classified as 1A and 1B in textile articles for consumer use under article 68 (2) of the REACH regulation FESI's complete and detailed position is in the Position Paper attached. Thank you for your consideration.
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Meeting with Pedro Velasco Martins (Cabinet of Vice-President Cecilia Malmström)

23 Jan 2018 · EU-ASEAN Trade Policy

Meeting with Jon Nyman (Cabinet of Vice-President Cecilia Malmström)

20 Jun 2017 · EU-Vietnam FTA, the European Court of Justice opinion on the EU-Singapore FTA, the Commission's policy on Trade and Sustainable Development and Rules of Origin.

Meeting with Jon Nyman (Cabinet of Vice-President Cecilia Malmström)

18 Jan 2017 · Implementation of the EU-Vietnam FTA, negotiations for an EU-Indonesia FTA

Meeting with Andrus Ansip (Vice-President) and

26 Jan 2016 · Sports, health, e-government, standardisation

Meeting with Tibor Navracsics (Commissioner)

3 Jun 2015 · Presentation of FESI, sport's economic role, European Week of Sport

Meeting with Szabolcs Horvath (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

6 May 2015 · Preparation of the meeting between Commissioner Navracsics and Mr Luca Businaro, President of FESI

Meeting with Nele Eichhorn (Cabinet of Vice-President Cecilia Malmström)

31 Mar 2015 · State of play of different FTAs

Meeting with Szabolcs Horvath (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

13 Jan 2015 · Preparation Münich trade fair exhibition 06/02/15

Meeting with Szabolcs Horvath (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

16 Dec 2014 · Introductory meeting