EU Deforestation Law: Council Formally Adopts One-Year Postponement

The European Union Council has formally adopted the regulation on the postponement of the application of the EU deforestation law by one year.

This postponement will allow third countries, member states, operators and traders to be fully prepared in terms of their due diligence obligations, in order to ensure that certain commodities and products sold in the EU or exported from the EU are deforestation-free. This includes products made from cattle, wood, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee, rubber and some of their derived products.

The deforestation regulation has already been in force since 29 June 2023 and its provisions are to be applied from 30 December 2024. Following this targeted amendment, its rules will start to apply on 30 December 2025.

This will give legal certainty, predictability and sufficient time for the smooth and effective implementation of the rules.

Next steps

The formal adoption by the Council marks the final step in the ordinary legislative procedure. The regulation will now be signed and published in the Official Journal of the EU so that it can enter into force before the end of the year.

Background

The deforestation regulation was adopted in 2023. The Commission submitted its proposal on postponing the application date of the deforestation regulation in response to concerns raised by member states, third countries, traders and operators that they might not fully comply with the rules by 31 December 2024.

On 16 October 2024, the Council agreed on its position on the amendment of the EU deforestation regulation, postponing its date of application by 12 months.

On 20 November 2024, the Council reiterated its support for the proposed targeted amendment of the EU deforestation regulation. On 3 December 2024, the Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on the targeted amendment of the regulation.