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 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 today.
“The extension proposal in no way puts into question the objectives of the substance of the law, as agreed by the EU co-legislators.”
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, said the Commission, had repeatedly expressed concern about their state of preparedness, “most recently during the United Nations General Assembly week in New York”.
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 surrounding guidance and rules.
A FoodNavigator investigation also revealed most of the major 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 on deadline.
Industry had also predicted “disaster” and repeatedly called for the regulation’s delay, including leaders like Germany’s chancellor and the US.
It is unclear what legal mechanism will be use to enact the proposal, but industry commentators have said it would likely be put to the EU Parliament for approval.
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.”
A spokesperson from Ropes & Gray, a law firm representing ESG and CSR, said: "As we have been predicting for some time now, the European Commission has proposed delaying EUDR compliance by a year. Under the proposal, large companies would have until December 30, 2025 to comply and SMEs would have until June 30, 2026. The proposal is subject to European Parliament and Council approval, but that is widely expected."
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.
