Date: 2024-11-20 00:00:00
Initially set to take effect on December 30 of this year, the EUDR regulation will prohibit the sale in the EU of seven commodities associated with deforestation: palm oil, soybeans, timber, rubber, coffee, cocoa, and cattle.
After the vote on November 14, the law is now anticipated to come into force on December 30, 2025, for large companies, and on June 30, 2026, for micro and small enterprises.
In a statement on its website following the vote, the European Parliament noted that the additional time would allow operators worldwide to implement the rules effectively from the outset without compromising the law's objectives.
Along with the decision to delay the legislation, the European Parliament also approved other amendments, including the establishment of a new category of countries classified as “no risk” for deforestation, in addition to the existing categories of “low,” “standard,” and “high” risk. Countries deemed “no risk,” characterized by stable or increasing forest area, will face significantly less stringent requirements due to the minimal or nonexistent risk of deforestation.
The European Commission (EC) will complete a country benchmarking system by June 30, 2025. Following the vote, the regulation was sent to the ENVI Committee for technical adjustments, with a new vote anticipated during the plenary session in the week of November 25-28, or, if necessary, at the session on December 16-18.
