EU drops broad delay of deforestation law, but eases rules for small firms
The European Commission has dropped plans to postpone the introduction of its flagship anti-deforestation law, deciding to maintain the schedule for the EU Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR) while reducing bureaucracy by relaxing some requirements.
Speaking at the Environment Council meeting in Luxembourg, Environment Commissioner Jessica Roswall confirmed that the law will take effect on 30 December 2025. Micro- and small enterprises have been granted an additional year, until December 2026, to comply.
Only companies that first place a product on the EU market will now need to submit a due diligence declaration. This change is intended to reduce paperwork and relieve pressure on the EU’s digital traceability system.
Adopted in 2023, the EUDR aims to ensure that commodities such as beef, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy and timber sold in the EU are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation. Companies must prove traceability and confirm that goods do not originate from recently cleared forests.
Roswall’s earlier proposal for a full one-year delay faced internal opposition, particularly from Vice-President Teresa Ribera, who warned against weakening the EU’s environmental credibility. Under the new plan, companies that are struggling to comply will be given a six-month grace period until 30 June 2026 before penalties are applied.
However, the proposal still requires approval from EU member states and the European Parliament, where lawmakers may seek further clarifications or amendments before final adoption.
Rejection forest monitoring law
A separate Commission proposal to strengthen forest monitoring across the EU was rejected by the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday. The EU forest monitoring law, which was introduced in 2023, aimed to enhance the mapping of Europe’s forests by utilising satellite observation and ground-based data. This would enable quicker responses to threats such as droughts, wildfires and invasive pests.
Both the Commission’s deforestation law and the rejected forest monitoring proposal formed part of the European Green Deal, which aims to protect and restore Europe’s ecosystems.
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