The European Commission has announced that the implementation of the EU’s new anti-deforestation law, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), will be postponed by one year. On Wednesday 2 October, the Commission published additional guidance and a reinforced international cooperation framework to support stakeholders in their preparations for the regulation’s implementation. The EUDR, which aims to ensure deforestation-free supply chains, will now enter into force on 30 December 2025 for large companies. For small and micro enterprises, the deadline has been postponed to 30 June 2026.
The European Commission came to this decision following feedback from international partners and stakeholders. During the United Nations General Assembly in September, several countries indicated that they were not sufficiently prepared for the implementation of the law. Within the European Union, preparations are also uneven: while some companies and Member States are ready for implementation, others are still in the process of adapting to the new rules.
The law, which was initially scheduled to enter into force in December 2024, aims to ban products that contribute to deforestation from the European market, such as timber, coffee, soy and palm oil. The European Commission stresses that the postponement does not mean that the objectives of the law are in question. The 12-month extension should give companies and governments extra time to take the necessary measures, so that the implementation of the law can proceed smoothly.
Extra time for effective implementation
Although the law has already been formally adopted and the technical implementation tools are ready, the additional one-year period will serve as a “running-in” period. The Commission aims to ensure that the law is effectively enforced once it enters into force.
In addition, the Commission has published new guidelines that provide additional clarity for companies and enforcement authorities. These guidelines provide, among other things, more information on registration obligations, fines, and the exact definitions of terms such as 'forest degradation' and 'placing on the market'.
International cooperation and transparency
An important part of the EU Deforestation Regulation is international cooperation. The European Commission has therefore set up a framework to support countries outside the EU in the transition to deforestation-free supply chains. This is necessary because many of the products that cause deforestation come from outside Europe. The Commission's aim is to use this international cooperation to achieve fair and inclusive trade chains.
In addition, the Commission has published guidelines for a new benchmarking system, which will assess countries on the risk of contributing to deforestation. Countries will be classified as low, standard or high risk, and this classification will help companies with their due diligence, or their duty of care to ensure that their products do not cause deforestation. The system will also help enforcement authorities to monitor companies.
Information system ready for use
Another crucial part of the new law is the Information System in which companies must register their due diligence declarations. This system is now technically ready and will be available from November. Companies can already submit their declarations, even before the law comes into force. This gives them the opportunity to practice with the new system and ensure that their supply chains comply with the requirements of the EU Deforestation Regulation.
What are the next steps?
The European Commission is calling on businesses and other stakeholders to start using the Information System as soon as possible. Online training courses will be available from October to help businesses prepare for the new rules. In addition, the Commission is working on an intensive dialogue with third countries to finalise the benchmarking system as soon as possible.
The extension of the implementation period still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and the Council, but the Commission does not expect this to pose any problems.
The EU Deforestation Regulation is one of the most important steps the European Union has taken in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. By banning products that contribute to deforestation from the European market, the EU wants to send a global signal that deforestation is no longer acceptable. This is not only important for the environment, but also for human rights and economic development in countries where deforestation is a major problem.
The law fits into the broader framework of the European Green Deal, in which the EU is committed to a sustainable and fair global economy. The postponement of the law's introduction gives all parties involved the opportunity to make the necessary preparations so that the law can be effectively enforced from 2025 onwards without unnecessary complications.
See press release from the Europese Commissie.
EU Deforestation Regulation Guidelines
