The European Commission is considering a one-year postponement of the contentious EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), according to a letter from Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall to the European Parliament. The move, reported by Handelsblatt, cites ongoing technical challenges as the primary reason for the potential delay.
The EUDR, designed to prevent EU consumers from inadvertently contributing to global deforestation, mandates that companies demonstrate their products, including coffee, cocoa, palm oil and paper, are not derived from newly deforested areas. Imports of timber and wood fibres are similarly required to be sourced from sustainably managed forests.
Despite extensive preparations, the Commission’s letter indicates concerns that the IT infrastructure necessary to handle the regulation’s implementation is not sufficiently robust. The proposed new start date would shift the deadline from December 30, 2025, to December 2026.
The regulation has faced considerable resistance. EU businesses have expressed concerns regarding potential disadvantages in global competition and numerous trade partners have voiced complaints in Brussels. Notably, the United States, a significant exporter of paper, timber and other forest products to the EU, has exerted pressure impacting the timeline. Previous statements suggesting a reconsideration of protections for old-growth forests have further complicated the situation.