Lawmakers voted to delay implementation by one year to give businesses and exporting countries more time to adjust and improve digital due-diligence systems. Under the new timetable, large operators and traders must comply from December 30, 2026, while micro and small enterprises will follow from June 30, 2027, the Parliament said in a press release.
MEPs also supported a shift in responsibility, requiring due-diligence declarations only from the companies first placing products on the EU market. Micro and small primary operators would file a one-off simplified declaration, reducing compliance costs. Parliament also requested a legal review by April 30, 2026, to assess administrative burdens.
The vote passed with 402 in favour, 250 against and 8 abstentions, clearing the way for negotiations with EU member states. For the one-year postponement to apply, the final law must be endorsed by both institutions and published before the end of 2025.
The EU regulation targets deforestation linked to various products. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) estimates 420 million hectares of forest were destroyed between 1990 and 2020, with EU consumption driving around 10 per cent of global deforestation.
ALCHEMPro News Desk (KD)
Receive daily prices and market insights straight to your inbox. Subscribe to AlchemPro Weekly!
marketing@alchempro.com
