European Council Supports Postponement of Deforestation Regulation Application.

Brussels: The European Council has expressed its support for a proposed targeted amendment to the European Union Deforestation Regulation, which includes delaying its application date by 12 months. In a statement, the European Council described the move as the best approach to ensuring legal certainty for all stakeholders. According to Emirates News Agency, the European Commission's legislative proposal must be adopted, signed, and published in the Official Journal by 30th December 2024. This postponement will provide third countries, EU member states, operators, and traders ample time to fully prepare for due diligence obligations. These obligations require ensuring that certain goods and products sold within or exported from the EU are free from deforestation. This includes products derived from cattle, timber, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee, rubber, and related derivatives. The Deforestation Regulation came into effect on 29th June 2023, with its provisions set to be enforced starting 30th December 2024.