Legislation
08 September 2025
The EU Deforestation Regulation
Legislation
08 September 2025
Retail
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The EU Deforestation Regulation aims to ensure that products placed on or exported from the EU market do not contribute to global deforestation or forest degradation, promoting sustainable consumption and biodiversity protection. The latest Commission guidance (2025) clarifies definitions, timelines, due diligence obligations, and special cases for operators, traders, and products.
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Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 addresses the placing and export of deforestation-linked commodities and products on the Union market. Adopted as part of the European Union’s broader environmental commitments—including the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and the Farm to Fork Strategy—it establishes mandatory due diligence rules to ensure that only deforestation-free products are traded within or exported from the EU.
The Regulation applies to key commodities—such as cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya and wood—as well as products derived from them. These items may only be placed on or exported from the EU market if they:
- Are proven to be deforestation-free.
- Have been produced in accordance with the relevant legislation of the country of production.
- Are covered by a due diligence statement submitted to the competent authorities.
The Regulation aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to EU consumption by at least 32 million metric tonnes per year, and to curb biodiversity loss driven by global deforestation. It establishes a risk-based benchmarking system for countries, obligations for operators and traders, and strengthened enforcement measures.
The 2025 Commission guidance specifies that “placing on the market” refers to first supply, “making available” to subsequent supply, and “export” to Union goods leaving the EU. Further clarifications include: exemptions for waste and fully recycled products; packaging being in scope only if marketed as a product itself; and the role of certification schemes as supportive but not a substitute for due diligence. Definitions of “forest”, “agricultural use”, and “agroforestry” have also been refined to ensure consistency with international standards.
By targeting deforestation driven by agricultural expansion, the Regulation plays a pivotal role in aligning EU consumption patterns with global sustainability objectives, while reinforcing supply chain transparency and traceability. The 2025 guidance ensures harmonized application across Member States.
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