The European Union’s anti-deforestation law has faced renewed scrutiny as lawmakers backed a proposal to simplify due diligence requirements for business operators on Thursday. The law, which aims to curb deforestation linked to the production of goods such as cocoa, coffee, and soy, was initially set to take effect in December 2024. However, its implementation has been delayed twice, with the latest postponement pushing its start date to December 2026.
This development comes as tensions between the EU and external stakeholders, including the United States and Brazil, have heightened concerns about the law’s impact on trade. Industry groups and countries outside Europe have argued that the law is too burdensome, leading to trade disruptions and constraints on free and fair trade.
Simplification of the Anti-Deforestation Law
Under the new draft bill, lawmakers have backed a Commission proposal to reduce the administrative burden on farmers, foresters, and other economic operators. The obligation to submit a due diligence statement for companies that place products on the EU market will be scrapped, although they will still need to retain the statement received from the importer and pass it along to other operators.
Micro and small operators who sell their goods directly on the European market will be exempt from producing due diligence statements. Instead, small farmers and foresters will only need to provide a one-off declaration to be presented in the IT system, which can be done through a member state authority or another operator, such as cooperatives.
A senior Commission official noted that this measure will significantly reduce the load on the IT system. The simplification is expected to alleviate some of the concerns raised by industry groups and countries outside Europe.
Future of the EU’s Anti-Deforestation Law
Despite the simplification, the ultimate fate of the EU’s anti-deforestation law remains uncertain. EU governments are currently holding talks to address legal concerns raised by some member states, including the introduction of a new review clause. A diplomat noted that time is running low, as lawmakers are due to vote on the content of the law during the 24-27 November plenary session in Strasbourg.
According to Vidya Rangan, director of policy and engagement at the International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling (ISEAL) Alliance, the delay in implementation may undermine efforts to address deforestation. Rangan emphasized that policy certainty is crucial for advancing action on deforestation and that the EU’s anti-deforestation law is a critical step in this direction.
The European Commission’s decision to delay the law’s implementation has been met with criticism from green lawmakers, who accuse the EU executive of finding excuses under the guise of IT issues. As the law’s fate hangs in the balance, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the EU navigates the complex issues surrounding deforestation and trade.
For more information on the EU’s efforts to combat deforestation, visit the European Commission’s environment page. The outcome of the ongoing discussions will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of the EU’s anti-deforestation law in achieving its goals.
