Negotiators from the European Parliament and Member States reached a provisional agreement on Tuesday evening to postpone the implementation of the anti-deforestation law. The legislation text has remained untouched.
The law is set to ban all products linked with deforestation. While set to be enforced this year, it will now take effect from 30 December 2025 for the largest companies, and six months later for the other entities concerned.
In addition to the delay, right-winged European People's Party (EPP) had requested to change the legislation so that the ban would not apply to EU countries and non-EU countries where there is "no risk" of deforestation. This ultimately was not achieved.
For those who wanted to see the law unchanged, including climate groups, this was a victory to have avoid "weakening" of the legislation.
In its communication, the Commission pledges to use the next 12 months to "provide further clarification of the legislation and study additional simplifications, [...] by updating the guidelines and the frequently asked questions document". A general review of the regulation is scheduled for 30 June 2028 at the latest, according to Parliament.
"From 2028, countries that practice sustainable forest management and do not show evidence of deforestation will have the opportunity to be exempted from unnecessary bureaucracy," explained Christine Schneider (EPP).
At the request of the MEPs, the system for classifying countries by risk level, as well as the system that companies will have to use to submit their declarations on the origin of products, will be prepared by the Commission at least six months before the legislation takes effect.
