On 15 April 2025, the European Commission unveiled a series of simplifications aimed at facilitating the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation. These measures aim to reduce the burden on companies in complying with the Regulation while preserving its environmental objectives.<\/p>\n
Background<\/strong><\/p>\n On 9 June 2023, the European Union published Regulation (EU) 2023\/1115 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation (the \u201cDeforestation Regulation\u201d or \u201cEUDR\u201d<\/em><\/strong>) [1]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Initially, the EUDR requirements were set to apply from 30 December 2024. On 2 October 2024, the Commission proposed postponing the application of the EUDR by one year, shifting the effective date to\u00a030<\/strong> December 2025, for most operators and traders<\/strong>. For\u00a0small enterprises<\/strong>, the new effective date will be\u00a030<\/strong> June 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Under the EUDR, relevant products (derivatives of palm oil, soy, wood, cocoa, coffee, cattle, and rubber, listed in Annexe I of the EUDR) can only be placed or made available on the EU market or exported from the European Union if they meet the following requirements:<\/p>\n a.\u00a0It must be possible to trace the product to the land plot where it was produced\/harvested<\/strong>, and such land plot must not have been subject to deforestation or forest degradation after 31 December 2020.<\/p>\n b.\u00a0The production or harvesting of the relevant commodities on the specified land plot must adhere to the applicable laws of the country where the production takes place.<\/strong><\/p>\n c.\u00a0For each batch of relevant products, an accompanying Due Diligence Statement (DDS) is required.<\/strong> The EU operator or trader is responsible for submitting this DDS to the Information System, following the completion of their own due diligence or the verification that due diligence was previously conducted within the supply chain, in accordance with the EUDR.<\/p>\n To comply with these requirements, EU operators and traders must obtain reliable and verifiable information throughout the supply chain, starting from the producers of the relevant commodities.<\/p>\n The Regulation covers\u00a0seven commodities<\/strong>: palm oil, soy, wood, cocoa, coffee, cattle, and rubber.<\/p>\n Proposed Changes<\/strong><\/p>\n Country Risk Classification<\/strong><\/p>\n Another important innovation regarding the EUDR implementation mechanism is the\u00a0Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025\/1093 <\/strong>[3]<\/a>, adopted on 22 May 2025. It establishes detailed rules for classifying countries based on the risk that the relevant commodities they produce do not comply with the deforestation-free requirements outlined in the EUDR.<\/p>\n Countries (or parts thereof) are classified into low, high, or standard-risk categories based on an objective, transparent assessment by the European Commission. The criteria consider\u00a0quantitative criteria<\/strong>\u00a0(deforestation rates, agricultural land expansion, commodity production trends) and\u00a0qualitative criteria<\/strong>\u00a0(administrative and political factors). The assessment also relies on the latest\u00a0scientific evidence and internationally recognised data<\/strong>, including the Global Forest Resources Assessment conducted by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.<\/p>\n Operators sourcing commodities from\u00a0low-risk countries benefit from simplified due diligence requirements<\/strong>, while those sourcing from\u00a0high-risk countries face stricter controls and a full risk assessment<\/strong>. The Regulation helps focus efforts and resources on geographical areas where deforestation issues are most pressing, and also aims to reduce costs for operators sourcing products from low-risk countries.<\/p>\n The list of countries classified by risk level is published in the annexe to the Regulation and will be regularly reviewed to reflect updated data and scientific evidence. The Regulation entered into force shortly after its publication on\u00a023<\/strong> May 2025<\/strong>, and has direct effect in all EU Member States.<\/p>\n High-risk countries include Belarus, the Democratic People\u2019s Republic of Korea, Myanmar, and the Russian Federation.<\/strong>\u00a0All other countries, including\u00a0Ukraine<\/strong>, have been granted\u00a0low-risk status<\/strong>.<\/p>\n [1] https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/EN\/TXT\/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2023.150.01.0206.01.ENG&toc=OJ%3AL%3A2023%3A150%3ATOC<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n [2] https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/commission\/presscorner\/detail\/en\/ip_25_1063<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n