The European Commission has published its report on the simplification of the revised EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), with the revision ending a period of uncertainty around the implementation of the sustainability measures.
After initially being proposed in November 2021 and entering into force in June 2023, with a view of being implemented at the end of 2024 after an 18-month phase-in, the EUDR has consistently been delayed.
The first round was eventually extended to 30 December 2025 for large EU companies and 30 June for micro- and small EU companies, before being delayed another 12 months. Now, the European Commission is “focused on facilitating implementation, and ensuring a successful entry into application of the law by 30 December 2026”.
The Commission has now introduced further simplification measures that it expects to reduce annual compliance costs for companies subject to EUDR obligations by “about 75 per cent” compared to the original EUDR.
Soluble coffee is also included in the draft update of the EUDR’s scope, with the European Coffee Federation considering this an important step towards a more workable framework.
“Including soluble coffee in the scope would support fair and competitive conditions within the internal market and reinforce the Regulation’s environmental integrity,” says Secretary General of the European Coffee Federation, Eileen Gordon-Laity.
“Aligning requirements across coffee categories is essential for both the effective implementation of the Regulation and for operators preparing for compliance ahead of the application date.”
The package also includes an implementing act updating the IT system that underpins the EUDR rules, including simplified paperwork for small primary operators such as farmers and foresters.
Key responsibilities for those further up the supply chain, like coffee roasters and companies, named as “upstream operators” first placing the products on the market remain subject to full due diligence obligations, while the “first downstream operators” will be required to collect reference numbers from suppliers but will not have to actively verify their compliance.
Leather and re-treaded tires have also been removed from the scope of products, with exemptions for things such as product samples, waste, and certain package materials included.
Some palm oil derivatives have also been included alongside soluble coffee. Manager, Forests at the WWF European Policy Office, Anke Schulmeister-Oldenhove, says any further delays to implementation must be avoided.
“We’re encouraged to see the EUDR finally moving from promise to practice. But now the EU must hold the line,” she says.
“Delays and half-baked amendments have already come at a tangible cost for businesses and nature.
“Weakening the EUDR by exempting specific sectors would undermine the regulation’s credibility, make compliance more complex and enforcement less effective.”
The draft Delegated Act is open for public feedback until 1 June 2026.
You can learn about South Asia's largest
exhibition on this topic through this link: https://teacoffeebd.com/
Source: Online/Gtcbd.com
Comment Now