EU Deforestation Law Delayed

In a significant development, the European Parliament has agreed to a provisional political deal with the Council to delay the enforcement of the EU Deforestation Regulation by one year. This decision will give all businesses additional time to adapt to the new rules aimed at ensuring that products sold within the EU are not sourced from deforested lands.

The law, initially adopted in 2023, was set to address the environmental impact of deforestation linked to EU consumption of various commodities including cocoa, coffee, and palm oil. The agreement includes simplifications in the traceability and due diligence processes required from businesses, particularly benefiting small and micro primary operators by reducing their administrative burdens.

The revised timeline stipulates that large operators and traders need to comply with the regulations by December 30, 2026, while smaller entities have until June 30, 2027. This extension is intended to facilitate a smoother transition and allow for enhancements to the IT systems used by operators for compliance. Additionally, printed products will no longer fall under the law’s scope, a relief for various stakeholders in the printing industry.

Parliament is expected to vote on this new agreement in its session scheduled for December 15-18, 2025. If endorsed by both Parliament and the Council, and published in the EU’s Official Journal before the end of 2025, the amendments will officially come into force. This strategic postponement aims at maintaining the core objectives of the regulation while addressing practical implementation concerns expressed by businesses and environmental experts alike.