Overview

• The EU has postponed the enforcement of its anti-deforestation regulation, originally set for December 2024, to December 30, 2025, for large companies and June 30, 2026, for small businesses.
• The law aims to ban the import of goods linked to deforestation, including coffee, cocoa, soy, palm oil, and wood, requiring companies to prove their supply chains are sustainable.
• The delay follows pressure from global producer nations, EU member states, and businesses citing concerns over readiness and potential trade barriers.
• Proposals to weaken the law, such as a 'no risk' category with reduced checks for certain countries, were dropped after resistance from the EU Commission and member states.
• Environmental groups and critics warn that the delay risks further deforestation and undermines the EU's climate leadership during a global ecological crisis.