The European Council has approved a recommendation to postpone the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) for an additional year.
Initially unveiled in late 2021, the EU Deforestation Regulation seeks to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and curb biodiversity loss by enforcing stringent measures. This regulation was set to be enacted before the year’s end.
As per the EUDR, companies involved in the European Union’s food and beverage industry, particularly those that deal in cocoa, coffee, palm oil, and similar commodities, are required to demonstrate that their supply chains do not contribute to deforestation.
However, leading up to this decision, the EU Commission had indicated that the original timeline was unfeasible, prompting the proposal to delay the application of these rules. The new timeline sets the enforcement date to December 30, 2025, for large operators and traders, while micro- and small enterprises have until June 30, 2026.
This postponement aims to provide essential “legal certainty, predictability, and adequate time” for stakeholders to smoothly transition and effectively comply with the new regulations.
The revised rules incorporate extensive due diligence protocols, which are critical for identifying potential deforestation risks within supply chains. These measures reinforce monitoring and reporting practices designed to ensure alignment with EU standards.
The Commission’s proposal is now slated for a vote in the European Parliament, which is anticipated to be supportive of the delay. However, earlier this week, over 200 civil society organizations across more than 40 nations urged the Parliament and national governments of the EU to reject the proposed delay. They contend that deferring the regulation undermines the EU’s credibility as a frontrunner in combating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and addressing human rights violations.
In recent discussions, industry representatives from various sectors, including agri-food, media, packaging, and timber, expressed concerns over the practicality of enforcing the EUDR by the end of the year, labeling it “simply unfeasible.”
Moreover, certain countries in Southeast Asia have voiced apprehensions regarding the implications of this legislation on their trade practices. In June, officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, and the Department of Commerce also reached out to the European Commission to request a postponement of the enforcement of the EUDR.
This ongoing dialogue emphasizes the growing concern and complexity surrounding food and drink consumer trends, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to policy-making that considers both environmental goals and industry realities.
