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EU Commission Enhances Support for Deforestation Regulation and Proposes Extended Implementation Period

house Suharsh Mittal Oct 7, 2024

EU Commission Enhances Support for Deforestation Regulation and Proposes Extended Implementation Period

The European Commission has announced significant updates to the EU Deforestation Regulation implementation process. Key developments include:

  1. Extended Implementation Timeline: The Commission proposes a 12-month extension for the regulation's application. If approved, large companies would need to comply by December 30, 2025, while micro and small enterprises would have until June 30, 2026.

  2. Additional Guidance: New documents have been published to clarify various aspects of the regulation, including:

    • Functionalities of the Information System
    • Updates on penalties
    • Clarifications on key definitions (e.g., 'forest degradation', 'operator')
    • Guidance on traceability obligations
  3. Country Benchmarking: The Commission has released principles for classifying countries as low, standard, or high risk, aiming to streamline due diligence processes.

  4. International Cooperation Framework: A strategic framework has been introduced to support global stakeholders, focusing on areas such as smallholder support and human rights-centered approaches.

  5. IT System Readiness: The Information System for due diligence statements is set to begin accepting registrations in early November, with full operation expected in December.

The Commission emphasizes that these measures aim to ensure smooth implementation while maintaining the regulation's core objectives. The proposed extension is in response to concerns raised by global partners and some European stakeholders about preparedness.

The EU Deforestation Regulation, adopted in 2023, seeks to prevent key goods placed on the EU market from contributing to deforestation and forest degradation globally. This initiative addresses critical environmental challenges, as the FAO estimates that 420 million hectares of forest were lost to deforestation between 1990 and 2020.

For more detailed information, stakeholders are encouraged to visit the European Commission's website on EU Deforestation Regulation implementation.

Source: European Commission