BELGIUM – On September 25, 2024, 29 European associations, including the European Panel Federation (EPF), the European Confederation of Woodworking Industries (CEI-Bois), and the European Timber Trade Federation, released a joint statement urging a delay in the European Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR).

In their statement, the signatories recognized the importance of the EUDR in combating deforestation. “However, with less than 100 days until the obligations for operators, traders, and Competent Authorities come into effect, we are facing significant legal and market uncertainties,” they stated.

The call for a delay stem from concerns about the feasibility of implementing the EUDR and the lack of clarification on how affected companies should comply with its requirements.

The proposed delay would allow stakeholders in the supply chain more time to adjust their practices “in compliance with the EUDR,” as last-minute adjustments could lead to severe economic consequences.

“We are still lacking adequate responses to our requests for clarity regarding a workable, harmonized implementation of the regulation. Our concerns remain unanswered, including the need for a functional and user-friendly EU Information System and benchmarking readiness, particularly for low-risk countries,” the statement continued. “The current situation clearly shows that implementing the EUDR by the end of 2024 is simply unfeasible and would result in many small businesses being pushed out of the market and job losses in rural areas. Companies are already facing paralyzing uncertainties when negotiating contracts for the coming year.

“As a result, serious market disruptions are expected, which would significantly harm European primary producers and downstream industries, threatening supply chain security, reducing market access to vital EU food, feed, and forest products, and exacerbating inflationary pressures on consumer goods.”

This is not the first time that European wood and woodworking associations have voiced concerns about the EUDR. In March 2024, six European associations, including those mentioned, issued another statement expressing worries about designating all countries as “standard risks” and ultimately called for the EUDR’s implementation to be delayed.