The European Council, the EU’s main decision-making body, has decided to support the European Commission’s proposal to postpone implementation of the new anti-deforestation regulation by one year – it was initially scheduled for December 30. Now, the proposal must be voted on by the European Parliament, which is expected to happen on November 13-14.
The legislation sets barriers to importing agricultural products that have been produced in areas deforested after 2020. It will impact the trade of wood derivatives, cocoa, coffee, soybeans, palm oil, beef, and rubber.
According to an official statement from the Council, “the delay will allow third countries, Member States of the EU, operators, and traders to be fully prepared for the due diligence obligations.” This diligence consists of ensuring that certain products marketed to the economic bloc “are free from deforestation.”
This represents further pressure from European countries to ease the law, which has raised concerns among governments and industries worldwide. The greatest concern comes from small and medium-sized producers who are not yet compliant with the law’s requirements, the main one being the georeferencing of raw materials.
If the Parliament approves the proposal, the implementation dates will be December 30, 2025, for large operators and traders, and June 30, 2026, for micro and small companies.
“This would provide legal certainty, predictability, and sufficient time for the harmonious and effective implementation of the rules, including the full establishment of due diligence systems,” said the EU Council in the official statement.
Officially named EUDR, the legislation was proposed in June 2023, but it was only in September 2024 that the European Commission presented a guide with details on each commodity and how traceability will work.
This has caused discomfort among several countries, leading them to push for a delay, including Brazil, Ghana, Uganda, the United States, Chile, and even European nations such as Germany and Italy, which are concerned about rising inflation and the fines importers will have to pay, potentially resulting in losses.