EUDR delay is an occasion to implement a solid framework against deforestation

EUDR delay is an occasion to implement a solid framework against deforestation

On October 2, Cepi, the European Confederation of Paper Industries, issued a press release regarding the postponement of the implementation of the EUDR regulation.

The EU Commission today proposed a postponement of the implementation of the Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The pulp and paper sector welcomes the announcement which offers an occasion to develop a stronger framework to fight deforestation. The European Parliament and EU Council will still need to confirm the delayed phase-in.

The EU Commission has proposed today a draft amendment to postpone by a year the implementation of a regulation aiming to limit deforestation linked to commodities, not only imported but also produced and exported from the European Union.

Long-expected guidelines to the implementation of the EUDR have now been published in conjunction with the announcement, but the information system build by the EU to enforce the tracking of materials and commodities remains to be completed. A benchmarking system assessing the risk level by country is also still pending. Based on these delays, the EU pulp and paper sector represented by Cepi has been vocal about the need for an adequate transition period for the EUDR.

It is not unusual to see transitional implementation periods applied for EU legislation. The predecessor to the EUDR, the EU timber regulation (EUTR) had a 3-year transition period, for a much simpler system. The EUTR remains in place and ensures no wood from illegal sources is placed on the EU market.

EUDR rules state that companies must ensure that their products were not made on areas deforested after 2020. They require passing tracking information along complex value chains, which is particularly challenging when materials are mixed from different sources as is the case for paper. The delay will now allow for a better implementation of the regulation, and stronger impact on deforestation.

Quote by Jori Ringman, Cepi Director General:

“The EUDR is too important not to get it right. We certainly do not ignore the environmental crisis and the climate emergency, which the EUDR is designed to help solve. Nor is our industry a source of deforestation. From a business angle, deforestation is major reputational risk which for any industry; our industry also depends on healthy forests for our own future.

“We fully support the objectives of the EUDR, and with this new timeline, we believe that the EU and its trade partners now have a much better chance at finally eradicating deforestation.”

How to contact us?

Stowarzyszenie Papierników Polskich
The Association of Polish Papermakers

Main office
Pl. Komuny Paryskiej 5A, 90-007 Łódź

Tel.: (+48 42) 630 01 17
Tel.: (+48 42) 203 24 25
E-mail: info@spp.pl

SPP Warsaw Office
Al. Solidarności 117, lok. 408 
00-140 Warszawa

Tel: (+48 22) 440 56 34
Mobile: (+48) 668 12 90 39
E-mail: biuro@spp.pl

Contact form