EU simplifies the anti-deforestation regulation EUDR
The European Commission has published a simplifying package for the revised EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). It is one of the biggest single-shot deregulations of a significant EU regulation in recent years.
What is changing:
- to the updated product scope (delegated act) soluble coffee and certain palm oil derivatives are added, while leather and protected tires are removed
- exemptions for samples, packaging materials, used and second‑hand products, and waste streams
- simplified regime for micro and small primary operators
- updated guidance on topics such as e‑commerce and geolocation modalities
- voluntary grouping feature in the Information System
The Commission is working on integrating national databases directly into the EU system → end of duplicate reporting.
EUDR targets 7 commodities responsible for the majority of global deforestation: beef, timber, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee and rubber. Companies must demonstrate that their products do not originate from recently deforested land or contribute to forest degradation.
The main mechanism = shifting the burden of proof onto companies placing goods on the EU market → pressure on traceability in global supply chains.
This is another part of the "EU Simplification Wave" series – after the Omnibus package for CSRD/CSDDD/Taxonomy comes the simplification of EUDR. The aim is to preserve the substantive objectives while reducing the administrative burden.
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