European Commission Proposes to Postpone the Application of the Regulation on the Conservation of the World’s Forests (EUDR) by One Year
The European Commission (EC), in response to repeated requests from businesses, countries around the world, and EU Member States, has proposed an amendment to Regulation (EU) No 2023/1115 of the European Parliament and of the Council (EUDR). This amendment aims to postpone the start of the Regulation's implementation by 12 months.
Should the European Council and the European Parliament agree to the EC's proposal, the Regulation will apply to medium and large enterprises from 30 December 2025, and to micro and small enterprises from 30 June 2026.
The primary goal of this proposal is to provide businesses with clarity on the path forward, ensuring the successful implementation of the EUDR, which is designed to address the critical global issue of deforestation. It is important to note that the proposed postponement does not alter the objectives or substance of the Regulation as originally agreed upon by the EU legislators.
The additional year will allow businesses to better prepare for the requirements of the Regulation, while emphasizing that this delay should not result in postponing preparation activities.
The full European Commission communication on the EUDR postponement, published on 2 October, can be found here.
The EUDR Information System will remain operational as planned later this year. Instructions on how to use the system, along with forms for applying for training on the system, will be available soon on the EC's official website.
Under the Regulation, companies (including natural persons for commercial purposes) placing timber, soya, coffee, cocoa, olive oil, cattle, and rubber and their products on the EU market for the first time, or exporting them, are required to implement a due diligence system. This system involves analyzing supply chains to prevent deforestation and forest degradation.
In response to frequently asked questions, the EC has published answers and further details on the implementation of the Regulation on the following webpages:
- Deforestation Regulation Implementation – European Commission
- Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products – European Commission
The EUDR Implementation Guidelines are also available here.
Last updated: 19-11-2024
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