Implemen­tation of EU deforestation regulation delayed by 12 months

The European Commission has decided to postpone the implementation date of the EU deforestation regulation by one year. This decision follows feedback from international partners and stakeholders who indicated they needed more time to comply with the regulation effectively. If approved by the European Parliament and the Council, the regulation will come into effect on 30 December 2025 for large companies and six months later for smaller businesses.

Additional guidelines for implementation

Alongside the postponement, the Commission is also presenting additional guidelines to provide more clarity for the parties involved. These guidelines include clarifications on key terms such as 'forest degradation' and offer detailed information about the functions of the due diligence system. This helps companies better understand and apply the rules, which is crucial for successful implementation.

Framework for international cooperation

The Commission is also focusing on strengthening cooperation with global partners. A strategic framework has been established to better support countries with a higher risk of deforestation. The aim is to facilitate an inclusive and fair transition to deforestation-free supply chains, with special attention to smallholder farmers.

With these measures, the Commission hopes to ensure a smoother implementation of the regulation without compromising its objectives.

Ec.europa.eu