UPDATE: EUDR shifts
Following our last newsletter on the possible postponement of the EUDR, concrete decisions have now been made in Strasbourg: Read the full update here.
The European Commission is considering postponing the start date of the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by a further twelve months – from the end of 2025 to the end of 2026. The reason for this is technical challenges with the planned IT system, which is central to the collection and validation of the necessary data. The expected volume of data is higher than originally assumed, which is why Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall is recommending a postponement. The final decision now lies with the Parliament and the Council.
What is behind the EUDR?
The European Deforestation Regulation aims to curb deforestation and forest degradation along global supply chains. Companies that place products on the EU market will in future have to ensure that the raw materials or intermediate products they contain do not originate from deforested or cleared areas.
The key requirements are:
- Due diligence obligations: Provision of information on origin, production and environmental conditions.
- Verification system: Use of an EU IT system to record and validate all relevant data.
- Risk assessment: Examination of the supply chain for deforestation risks, with additional measures in case of increased risk.
- Enforcement and sanctions: Violations may result in sanctions, import bans or the disposal of the products concerned.
Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular – especially in industries with complex supply chains such as the packaging industry – face considerable technical and organisational challenges.
Why a postponement seems sensible
Many companies consider the planned postponement to be long overdue. The comprehensive documentation requirements and the still unclarified technical framework conditions place a considerable burden on small and medium-sized enterprises in particular. A later start date would create additional leeway for preparation and implementation.
Current status
As the decision on the postponement is still pending, there is currently no immediate need for action. Developments will continue to be closely monitored, and relevant industry representatives will provide information as soon as concrete action is required.
ARCA is closely following all developments and is reliably supporting its members in all matters.
