The postponement of EUDR law will allow third countries, member states, operators and traders to be fully prepared in terms of their due diligence obligations, in order to ensure that certain commodities and products sold or exported from the EU are deforestation-free.
Dec 23, 2024
The European Council has formally adopted the regulation on the postponement of application of the EU deforestation law by one year.
The postponement will allow third countries, member states, operators and traders to be fully prepared in terms of their due diligence obligations, in order to ensure that certain commodities and products sold in the EU or exported from the EU are deforestation-free. This includes products made from cattle, wood, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee and rubber, along with some of their derived products, such as pulp and paper.
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The deforestation regulation has already been in force since June 29, 2023 and its provisions are to be applied from December 30, 2024. Following this targeted amendment, its rules will start to apply on December 30, 2025. This will give legal certainty, predictability and sufficient time for smooth & effective implementation of the rules.
The formal adoption by the Council on December 18 marked the final step in the ordinary legislative procedure. The regulation will now be signed and published in the Official Journal of the EU, so that it can enter into force before the end of the year.
The EUDR law was adopted in 2023. The Commission submitted its proposal on postponing the application date of the deforestation regulation in response to concerns raised by member states, third countries, traders and operators that they might not fully comply with the rules by December 31, 2024.
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On October 16, 2024, the Council agreed on its position on the amendment of the EU deforestation regulation, postponing its date of application by 12 months. On November 20, 2024, the Council reiterated its support for the proposed targeted amendment of the EU deforestation regulation. On December 3, 2024, the Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on the targeted amendment of the regulation.
