The European Union’s plan to enforce the Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) could face another one-year delay, raising concerns among environmental groups and businesses.
Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, wrote to senior policymakers on 23 September explaining that the IT system needed to manage product data is not ready.
In her letter, Roswall said the IT system may not handle the expected workload, making it difficult for companies to comply with the rules.
The EUDR aims to ensure products are deforestation-free and legally produced. Large businesses were originally expected to comply by 30 December 2024 and smaller companies by 30 December 2025.
COTANCE, the European leather industry association, urged the Commission to use the postponement to remove hides, skins and leather from EUDR rules since they do not drive deforestation.
The Commission says it continues to assess how to align the IT system with EUDR requirements. Meanwhile, businesses and environmentalists await the final decision on whether the regulation’s enforcement will be postponed again.
