The EU Commission has requested an additional one-year delay to the entry into force of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), raising concerns across industry and civil society.
In a letter published by Euractiv, EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall, informed EU Parliament Environment Committee chair Antonio Decaro and the Danish Presidency of the Council of her intention to postpone the regulation’s application. This would mark the second delay.
The Commission argues that the central IT system underpinning the law may not be ready to handle expected volumes, creating risks of severe disruptions for operators and trade.
Pushback from NGOs and sustainability experts
The move has been met with sharp criticism from environmental groups and sustainability advocates.
Will Schreiber, director at UK consultancy 3Keel and head of the Retail Soy Group, called the delay “an unwelcome step” in the fight against deforestation.
“Responsible companies have invested in compliance and shown the law is achievable as is. Today’s announcement pauses progress and creates greater uncertainty,” he said, warning that reopening the legislation risks weakening it further.
The WWF also condemned the decision, warning of stranded costs for companies already investing heavily in compliance and reputational damage for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“If this technical issue is real, it shows not only incompetence but also a lack of political will to invest in timely implementation,” said Anke Schulmeister-Oldenhove, WWF’s forest policy manager. She linked the delay to political pressure from conservative groups in Parliament and trading partners pushing to “simplify” the law.
Industry concerns
Industry groups, meanwhile, have echoed concerns over technical feasibility.
FEDIOL, representing Europe’s vegetable oil and protein meal sector, has repeatedly warned that the Commission’s IT system is “not fit for operations in our supply chains.”
Director General Nathalie Lecocq stressed the need for clarity on legality requirements, practical guidance, and harmonised enforcement across all 27 Member States.
Despite uncertainties, FEDIOL members have already made significant investments to comply. Companies are building dedicated production lines, upgrading IT and ERP systems, purchasing monitoring data, hiring staff, and paying premiums to secure deforestation-free raw materials.
Next steps
The delay request now needs discussion between the Commission, Parliament, and Council.
A reopening of the legislation could extend debates on key elements, potentially prolonging regulatory uncertainty for both operators and producing countries.
