EU Deforestation Regulation: Council Delays Implementation
Fighting Deforestation to protect biodiversity
Source: Council of the EU
Date: 12/03/25
Date: 12/03/25
The European Union has decided to delay the enforcement of its Deforestation Regulation, giving companies extra time to adapt to the new requirements. The regulation, designed to reduce Europe’s impact on global forest destruction, requires businesses to prove their products are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation.
What Does the EU Deforestation Regulation Involve?
Approved in 2023, the regulation obliges companies operating in the European market to demonstrate that their products are not associated with deforestation or forest degradation. It applies to key commodities like soy, beef, palm oil, wood, coffee, cocoa, and rubber, along with their derivatives.
The goal is simple: to lower Europe’s footprint on global forest loss by encouraging more responsible production and consumption. Companies must ensure traceability throughout their supply chains, providing evidence that their goods come from sustainable sources.
The goal is simple: to lower Europe’s footprint on global forest loss by encouraging more responsible production and consumption. Companies must ensure traceability throughout their supply chains, providing evidence that their goods come from sustainable sources.
Why the Delay?
The regulation was initially set to apply from 2024 for large companies and 2025 for SMEs. However, the EU Council has decided to extend these deadlines, giving businesses more time to comply. The new timeline sets 2025 for large companies and 2026 for SMEs.
The aim is to ensure a smoother transition without undermining efforts to protect forests.
The aim is to ensure a smoother transition without undermining efforts to protect forests.
What Happens Next?
Businesses are expected to use this extra time to upgrade their traceability systems and get ready for the upcoming checks. Meanwhile, the European Commission will continue to oversee the implementation process, offering guidelines to make the transition as straightforward as possible.
Businesses are expected to use this extra time to upgrade their traceability systems and get ready for the upcoming checks. Meanwhile, the European Commission will continue to oversee the implementation process, offering guidelines to make the transition as straightforward as possible.
Biodiversity and Regg3’s Role
Deforestation isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a serious threat to biodiversity and the resilience of ecosystems. When forests are destroyed, entire species lose their habitats, natural balances are disrupted, and local communities face direct consequences, from losing vital resources to increased vulnerability to extreme climate events.
At Regg3, we track the health of natural habitats through data on forests, land use, and protected areas. This helps us pinpoint the most vulnerable regions and support effective strategies for their protection.
The EU regulation is a positive step forward. But the real challenge lies in embracing regenerative practices that go beyond mere compliance. With our approach, we help companies turn their sustainability efforts into a competitive edge, making biodiversity protection part of their business strategy.
Deforestation isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a serious threat to biodiversity and the resilience of ecosystems. When forests are destroyed, entire species lose their habitats, natural balances are disrupted, and local communities face direct consequences, from losing vital resources to increased vulnerability to extreme climate events.
At Regg3, we track the health of natural habitats through data on forests, land use, and protected areas. This helps us pinpoint the most vulnerable regions and support effective strategies for their protection.
The EU regulation is a positive step forward. But the real challenge lies in embracing regenerative practices that go beyond mere compliance. With our approach, we help companies turn their sustainability efforts into a competitive edge, making biodiversity protection part of their business strategy.