The European Commission has announced a 12-month delay in the implementation of the deforestation law, responding to pressure from global partners and industry who have been complaining about a lack of preparedness to timely comply with the law. The decision follows months of pressure from the industry and third countries calling for appropriate guidance to help companies properly implement the law. The Commission also released guidance that will provide additional clarity to companies and enforcing authorities to facilitate the application of the rules, emphasizing that the delay does not question the objectives or substance of the law. The guidance includes a single point of contact for IT support for business operators, support to test geolocation files, and detailed multilingual user instructions about the system.
The original implementation date for the Deforestation Regulation was set for 30 December, but the delay will provide an additional 12 months for companies to prepare. Additional legislation will be proposed by the EU executive by 30 June 2025 following intense dialogues with the most concerned countries. The regulation requires suppliers to certify that their goods are not sourced from areas that were recently stripped of woods to make way for farms and plantations. The delay in implementation has been attributed to the significant delay in sharing guidance to support companies and concerns expressed by the business community. The postponement has been seen as an inevitable consequence of this delay.
MEP Pascal Canfin believes that the backlash against the deforestation law is tied to intense lobbying from countries producing commodities at risk of deforestation and from agri-business giants, particularly in Brazil and Indonesia. Canfin emphasizes that resistance to change indicates that the legislation is addressing the root of the problem in combating deforestation in areas where it is most prevalent. However, outgoing EU High Representative of Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell has highlighted the implementation struggle and warned against alienating partners such as Brazil, Indonesia, and countries in West Africa. Borrell stressed the importance of calibrating economic diplomacy measures carefully and discussing changes with partners to enable them to adjust gradually.
The delay in the implementation of the deforestation law has been met with mixed reactions, with some welcoming the extra time for companies to prepare and others expressing concerns about the impact on combating deforestation. The EU executive has faced pressure from industry, political groups, and affected third countries, who have criticized the lack of appropriate guidance to help companies transition smoothly. Global partners have raised concerns about their state of preparedness, with some expressing unease about meeting the requirements of the regulation. The Commission’s postponement of the law aims to provide support and clarity to companies during the transition phase, promoting better implementation and compliance.
The guidance provided by the European Commission includes measures to support business operators, test geolocation files, and offer detailed multilingual user instructions. The delay in the implementation of the deforestation law is seen as an opportunity for companies to better prepare for compliance and for the EU executive to engage in further dialogues with concerned countries. The regulation aims to tackle deforestation by ensuring that goods imported into the EU are not sourced from areas that have recently undergone deforestation to make way for agriculture. The postponement reflects the challenges faced in implementing the law and the need for additional support and guidance for companies to meet the requirements effectively.
