European Commission announces measures to help companies combat deforestation
The European Commission has recently announced key measures to support businesses, including SMEs, global stakeholders, EU Members States and third countries in their preparation for the implementation of EU rules on deforestation-free products (EUDR). The law is intended to stop European consumers from contributing to deforestation, which in turn is expected to bring down greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss. The law stipulates that commodities including coffee, cocoa, rubber, wood and palm oil cannot be placed on the EU market or exported from it if they are grown in deforested areas.
The measures include:
▶ New guidance documents
▶ Stronger international cooperation framework
▶ A proposal for 12 more months of phase-in time for companies to prepare
This extension, if approved by the European Parliament and the Council, would shift the law’s applicability to 30 December 2025 for medium and large companies, and 30 June 2026 for micro- and small enterprises. The extra time aims to ensure that industry sectors and global partners are fully prepared for the Regulation's entry into application, ensuring a smooth and effective start.
In addition, the Commission has published a guidance document and a third edition of the Frequently Asked Questions to support operators and stakeholders. These documents clarify the application of the rules and help ensure uniform interpretation. Moreover, a strategic framework for international cooperation has been published to promote deforestation-free supply chains globally, and its annex outlines the principles of the benchmarking methodology. User instructions and application forms for training sessions on the Information System will be published on the dedicated webpage on EUROPA.
Documents published:
Updated webpages:
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