The leaders of EU Member States have approved a proposal to delay by twelve months the implementation of new European legislation aimed at banning products derived from deforestation in the EU.
The ban, proposed by the European Commission, was originally set to take effect at the end of December. The Commission has now proposed 30 December 2025 for large companies and 30 June 2026 for micro and small enterprises.
However, the European Parliament still needs to vote on the proposal.
Countries such as Germany and Brazil, along with major coffee-importing companies—one of the key products affected—had requested the delay.
They fear that they may need to halt importation of certain products or impose heavy administrative burdens on intermediaries, as importers would be required to prove the precise geographical origin of their products.
Environmental advocacy organisations are strongly opposed to this delay.
