If there ever was a law that started off popular but entered into force with hardly a supporter left in sight it is the EU’s deforestation regulation. On Monday, the EU Commission published its final – finally final – piece of law that will implement the EUDR.
Covering the passage of EUDR – from being lauded by lawmakers as a beacon of sustainable business law back in 2023, to the years of dithering, delay and dilution of its rules that have followed – has been painful enough. Imagine how it must have been for those with skin in the game.
The delegated act adopted by the EU executive on Monday (13 July) confirms an announcement made in May, when the commission added instant coffee and palm oil derivatives to the list of products covered, but removed leather. That, say civil society groups, who argue that there is a clear link between the leather industry and deforestation will create loopholes and foster unfair competition between sectors in the EU.
Yet civil society leaders were trying to stay magnanimous on Monday.“Despite continued efforts to weaken the EU Deforestation Regulation, this decision should mark the end of legal and political uncertainty around the EUDR”, said WWF’s Béatrice Wedeux.
