Deforestation: EU Parliament accommodates craft businesses

"The Members of the European Parliament achieved a favourable vote on Wednesday.  

Downstream market participants are spared unnecessary bureaucracy. They do not have to carry out tests or collect and pass on reference numbers. Correctly, the obligation here lies with the initial distributor, i.e. the company that first placed the product on the market.  

The planned postponement of the application date of the Deforestation Regulation by one year until 30 December 2026 for all enterprises is the right decision. It gives the companies subject to the regulation and their suppliers the necessary time to prepare properly for the new requirements and implement them reliably.   

In addition, following the parliamentary vote, the Commission is to examine further simplifications by April 2026. This is necessary and sensible, as the legal framework is highly complex. It will give authorities and businesses the leeway they need to thoroughly evaluate the new requirements.  

Now the trilogue negotiations must be concluded swiftly and the amendment must be passed before the end of the year."