Council of State Confirms Protection of Sirmione’s Terme Name
The Italian State Council (Consiglio di Stato) ruling No. 04205/2026, published May 25, 2026, holds that using the word “terme” in the name of facilities lacking actual thermal water can mislead consumers by implying water with therapeutic properties distinct from heated sanitary water. The decision stems from a legal action brought by Terme di Sirmione and Federterme to safeguard the meaning of Law 323/2000.
In April 2024, Terme di Sirmione’s Scientific Committee organized a conference with experts in Internal Medicine, Otolaryngology, Pneumology, Dermatology and Rheumatology to reaffirm, in line with WHO guidance and LEA, the distinction between thermal waters authorized by the Health Ministry and heated sanitary waters. The ongoing legal process with Federterme aims to preserve this distinction, and AGCM has been asked to assess whether operators’ measures ensure clear and non-misleading information, as President Giacomo Gnutti emphasized the need for transparency and quality in communicating the therapeutic value of thermal waters.
Italian Version