Global environmental groups are pushing for the European Union to stand firm and roll out the EUDR later this year – amid fears that Germany, the United States, China and India are pressuring the European Commission to delay the world’s most ambitious deforestation regulation.
However, Earthsight, which specialises in uncovering environmental and social crimes, claims that many of these objections are self-serving, aimed at weakening the law rather than addressing its real objectives:
“Our investigations reveal continued deforestation and illegal practices tied to EU imports,” the ENGO said overnight. “In Indonesia, deforestation is increasing due to expanding palm oil and pulpwood plantations, with Earthsight’s findings linking these activities to European timber exports.”
Instead, Earthsight warns that delaying the regulation would weaken critical provisions, including traceability requirements for low-risk commodities, creating more loopholes for deforestation-linked products to enter the European market.
“The push to delay the EUDR comes despite companies having had years to prepare. The law’s key requirements were evident long before its passing, and Earthsight argues that large corporations, which post billions in profits, can afford the cost of compliance,” Earthsight said. “Many companies have already begun adjusting their supply chains in anticipation of the law’s enforcement, showing delays are unnecessary.”
Earthsights commentary comes after Wood Central revealed that the regulation—slated to come into effect in late December—is under siege, with twenty European Agricultural Ministers calling for it to be slowed down or watered down amid concerns over global supply chains.
However, despite global opposition, the European Environmental Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevicius, confirmed that the starting date, December 30, 2024, will not be delayed:
“We are hearing feedback from some stakeholders that preparation for implementation may be challenging,” Mr Sinkevicius told the Confederation of European Paper Industries in July. “However, we also see encouraging signs in many sectors and countries working to align with EUDR requirements.”
This is supported by several European policymakers, including Denmark’s Environmental Minister, Magnus Heunicke, pushing for the landmark regulation to proceed and finish the technical systems.
“We are convinced that this regulation will be a genuine game changer in the global fight against deforestation,” according to the letter addressed by Mr Heunicke to the European Commission.
For what it’s worth, Denmark is amongst the smallest European Union forest product importers—it is, therefore, far less exposed to the legislation than France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and Belgium.
How the EUDR will work
- The regulation will assign regions within countries inside and outside the EU a low, standard, or high-risk level associated with deforestation and forest degradation.
- This risk classification will guide the obligations of various operators and the authorities in member states to perform inspections and controls. Consequently, this will streamline monitoring for high-risk regions and simplify due diligence processes for low-risk regions.
- Authorities responsible for these areas must inspect 9% of operators and traders dealing with products from high-risk regions, 3% from standard-risk areas, and 1% from low-risk regions. This inspection aims to confirm whether they are effectively meeting the obligations stipulated by the regulation.
- Further, these competent authorities will inspect 9% of relevant goods and products either placed on their market, made available, or exported by high-risk regions.
- Lastly, the EU plans to enhance its cooperation with partner countries, focusing primarily on high-risk areas.
To learn about the US $2.5 billion compliance cost associated with the new regulation, click here for Wood Central’s special feature.
