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 EUDR’s deadline is pushed back a year from 30 December.
“Given the EUDR’s 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,” it said in an update.
“The extension proposal in no way puts into question the objectives of the substance of the law, as agreed by the EU co-legislators.”
Under the proposal, large companies would have until 30 December 2025 to comply and SMEs would have until 30 June 2026.
The Commission’s decision was a “victory for common sense and a welcome relief for all those businesses who needed a delay”, said Malaysian Palm Oil Council CEO Belvinder Kaur Sron.
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 recommended
Global partners had repeatedly expressed concern about their state of preparedness, “most recently during the United Nations General Assembly week in New York”, said the Commission.
Just this week, the countdown of three months to EUDR began and experts told FoodNavigator they fully expected the regulation’s delay, as businesses continued to struggle with confusing guidance and rules.
Industry had also predicted “disaster” and repeatedly called for the regulation’s delay, including country leaders like Germany’s chancellor and the US government.
However, a FoodNavigator investigation revealed most major FMCG players were in a good state of preparedness for the regulation’s start, and in the past had encouraged the Commission 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 criticism
However, environmental groups have responded to the announcement with ferocious criticism.
“Delaying the EUDR is like throwing a fire extinguisher out of the window of a burning building,” said Mighty Earth senior policy director Julian Oram.
“It’s 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.”
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 – 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 “make good on the Commission’s commitment to provide a reference of the recent collaborative efforts, involving stakeholders and competent authorities, to help ensure uniform interpretation of the law”, read a statement.
In an FAQ update, 40 more answers to questions had also been written in response to global stakeholder concerns.
