European Commission U-turns and proposes EUDR delay
Despite remaining tight-lipped in recent weeks about the possibility of a delay, the European Commission has advised in the release of new guidance today the EUDRâs deadline is pushed back a year from 30 December.
âGiven the EUDRâs novel character, the swift calendar, and the variety of international stakeholders involved, the Commission considers that a 12-month additional time to phase in the system is a balanced solution to support operators around the world in securing a smooth implementation from the start,â it said in an update.
âThe extension proposal in no way puts into question the objectives of the substance of the law, as agreed by the EU co-legislators.â
Under the proposal, large companies would have until 30 December 2025 to comply and SMEs would have until 30 June 2026.
It is hoped with the proposed delay and the new guidance that companies and enforcing authorities would be able to better phase and implement the rules.
EUDR delays recommendedGlobal partners had repeatedly expressed concern about their state of preparedness, âmost recently during the United Nations General Assembly week in New Yorkâ, said the Commission.
Just this week, the countdown of three months to EUDR began and experts told FoodNavigator they fully expected the regulationâs delayâ, as businesses continued to struggle with confusing guidance and rules.
Industry had also predicted âdisasterâ and repeatedly called for the regulationâs delayâ, including country leaders like Germanyâs chancellor and the USâ government.
However, a FoodNavigator investigation revealed most major FMCG playersâ were in a good state of preparedness for the regulationâs start, and in the past had encouraged the Commissionâ to bring it in with full force and on deadline.
It is unclear what legal mechanism will be used to enact the proposal, but industry commentators have said it would likely be put to the EU Parliament for approval, which is expected to be granted.
EUDR delay criticismHowever, environmental groups have responded to the announcement with ferocious criticism.
âDelaying the EUDR is like throwing a fire extinguisher out of the window of a burning building,â said Mighty Earth senior policy director Julian Oram.
âItâs an act of nature vandalism that will serve only to drive more industrial destruction of tropical forests, threatening the people and wildlife who depend on them, while pushing climate and nature goals out of reach.â
Rainforest Action Network forest campaign director Daniel Carrillo, said: “Right now, we’re watching as massive fires in the Amazon destroy one of the most important ecosystems on the planet â fires that have been exacerbated by unrelenting drought in what should be a rainforest. The delay of the EUDR is a blow to forests everywhere, and for a climate-stable future, we simply can’t afford to lose more forests.”
Meanwhile, the long-awaited EUDR guidance document issued today would âmake good on the Commissionâs commitment to provide a reference of the recent collaborative efforts, involving stakeholders and competent authorities, to help ensure uniform interpretation of the lawâ, read a statement.
In an FAQ update, 40 more answers to questions had also been written in response to global stakeholder concerns.
