Policy Focused Debate

📅 06 May 2026

🕔 From 08:30 to 10:00 (registration and breakfast at 08:00)

📍 Sofitel Brussels Europe Hotel, Place Jourdan 1, 1040, Brussels
 

Context

The European Union's commitment to sustainable finance has become increasingly central to its broader strategic agenda, particularly within the context of the Savings and Investments Union (SIU) initiative. The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), originally adopted in 2019 and applicable since March 2021, has emerged as a cornerstone framework for channelling private capital towards sustainable investments and combating greenwashing in financial markets.

However, since its implementation, the SFDR has faced significant challenges that have prompted the European Commission to undertake a comprehensive review. On 20 November 2025, the Commission presented a proposal for the SFDR review. This initiative responds to longstanding industry calls to streamline the framework, which currently requires financial market participants (FMPs) to disclose ESG-related information to retail investors and supervisors when sustainability features are integrated into financial products, while also restricting investments in certain activities such as the production of controversial weapons or tobacco.

The review aims to address critical shortcomings identified in the current framework, notably concerning usability, clarity for investors and FMPs. It introduces a simplification of disclosure requirements and a clearer product categorisation regime and the effectiveness of the framework in mitigating greenwashing risks.

The review also seeks to strike a balance between reducing compliance burdens on FMPs, enhancing legal certainty for FMPs and ensuring that the framework remains effective in promoting sustainability-related investments and preventing misleading sustainability claims.
 

Confirmed Speakers

• Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Member of the European Parliament
• Hannes Huhtaniemi, Lead SFDR review DG FISMA, European Commission
• Nicholas Pfaff, Deputy CEO and Head of Sustainable Finance, ICMA
• Julia Backmann, General Counsel Europe, Allianz Global Investors
• Dennis Hänsel, Head of Product Sustainability Regulation & Methodology, DWS

• Patrik Karlsson, Senior Policy Officer, Investment Management Unit, ESMA

Moderator : Pablo Zalba, Member of the EPFSF Board of Directors

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation. We look forward to welcoming you!

This event is reserved for EPFSF members and EU institutions staff. For more information and registration, contact us at secretariat@epfsf.org