The EUDR aims at ensuring that a set of key goods placed on the EU market will no longer contribute to deforestation and forest degradation in the EU and elsewhere in the world.

Based on feedback received from international partners about their state of preparations, the Commission also proposed to give concerned parties additional time of 12 months to prepare.

If approved by the European Parliament and the Council, it would make the law applicable on December 30, 2025, for large companies and June 30, 2026, for micro- and small enterprises.

Since all the implementation tools are technically ready, the extra 12 months can serve as a phasing-in period to ensure proper and effective implementation, a release from the Commission said.

The guidance will provide additional clarity to companies and enforcing authorities to facilitate the application of the rules, coming on top of the Commission's continuous support for stakeholders since the law's adoption.

Three months ahead of the intended implementation date, several global partners have expressed concerns about their state of preparedness, most recently during the UN General Assembly week in New York, the Commission noted.

Moreover, the state of preparations amongst stakeholders in Europe is also uneven. While many expect to be ready in time, others have expressed concerns.

Key areas covered in the guidance documents include details on the functionalities of the information system, updates on penalties and clarifications on critical definitions such as ‘forest degradation', ‘operator' in the scope of the law, and ‘placing on the market'. There is also further guidance on traceability obligations.

To help ensure smooth implementation worldwide, the Commission and the European External Action Service presented a strategic framework for international cooperation engagement on the EUDR.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)