The EU Commission’s decision to delay the entry into force of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) until December 30, 2025 (June 2026 for SMEs), introducing a one-year phase-in period, as we suggested at the end of August, along with the publication of the updated guidelines, represents a positive step to ensure that the EUDR can achieve its objectives. This is good news for businesses, which can now use this period to better adapt to the regulation. 

Just a month ago, we at Competere had submitted a proposal to the EU Commission to introduce a transitional phase to allow all stakeholders to gradually adapt to the regulation. The proposal included the creation of a Standing Committee, consisting of working groups specific to each commodity involved, to facilitate the continuous exchange of information and effective monitoring of the regulation’s implementation, as well as a temporary suspension of penalties during the transition phase, while maintaining the controls provided by the EUDR.

Now, the Commission invites the European Parliament and the Council to adopt the proposal for an extended implementation period by the end of the year. In the meantime, it is essential that the Commission, the competent authorities of each EU countries – including Italy – businesses, and the governments of the producing countries act quickly to ensure the effective implementation of the regulation without further delays and without additional costs to consumers. 

We at Competere support the objectives of the EUDR, while constructively criticizing its “one size fits all” approach and the lack of a multilateral dialogue with producing countries and industries – a crucial element for such an ambitious project that involves extremely complex global supply chains.