Brussels provides guidance for phasing in of EU deforestation law
Deforestation - Photo by Cunningchrisw
(BRUSSELS) - The Commission published additional guidance and a stronger international cooperation framework Wednesday to help stakeholders and non-EU states in implementing the EU Deforestation Regulation.
The aim of the EU Deforestation Regulation is to ensure that a set of key goods placed on the EU market will no longer contribute to deforestation and forest degradation in the EU and elsewhere in the world.
Following global concerns about the state of preparations for the law, the Commission is proposing to give concerned parties additional time to prepare. If approved by the EU's Parliament and Council, it would make the law applicable on 30 December 2025 for large companies and 30 June 2026 for micro- and small enterprises. The extra 12 months would serve as a phasing-in period to ensure proper and effective implementation, says the Commission.
The Commission is keen to stress that the extension proposal does not put into question the objectives or substance of the law.
The guidance documents provide a reference of the recent collaborative efforts, involving stakeholders and competent authorities, to help ensure uniform interpretation of the law.
Key areas covered include details on the functionalities of the Information System, updates on penalties, and clarifications on critical definitions such as ‘forest degradation', ‘operator' in the scope of the law, and ‘placing on the market'. There is also further guidance on traceability obligations.
The guidance is divided into 11 chapters covering a diverse range of issues such as legality requirements, timeframe of application, agricultural use, and clarifications on the product scope. All of these are supported by tangible scenarios. In addition, the latest FAQ, also published today, features over 40 new additional answers to address questions raised by a diverse range of stakeholders from around the world.
Micro- and small companies benefit from a lighter regime, which is also detailed on a new dedicated webpage.
Guidance on EU Deforestation Regulation
Strategic Framework for International Cooperation Engagement
Proposal for a Regulation amending Deforestation Regulation as regards the date of application
Commission website on EU Deforestation Regulation implementation