The EU Deforestation Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1115) aims to minimize the European Union's contribution to global deforestation and forest degradation by enforcing strict rules on the placing of certain commodities on the EU market.
The Regulation (already adopted in May 2023) applies to products such as wood, rubber, cattle, coffee, cocoa, palm oil, and soy, as well as derived products like chocolate and furniture.
Key aspects include:
- Due Diligence Requirements: EU operators and traders must ensure that their supply chains are free from deforestation. This includes tracing commodities back to the plot of land where they were produced.
- Cut-off Date: Products placed on the EU market must not have been produced on land subject to deforestation or forest degradation after 31 December 2020.
- Impact on Commodities: The regulation targets commodities that significantly contribute to deforestation, requiring companies to prove that these products do not come from deforested areas.
- Compliance and Penalties: Companies that fail to comply with these requirements may face penalties and restrictions on their products within the EU market.
The regulation is part of broader EU initiatives such as the EU Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss.
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