European Union Deforestation Regulation update

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, was adopted on 31 May 2023 and entered into force on 29 June 2023. It repeals and replaces the existing EU Timber Regulation. The EUDR will enter into application on 30 December 2025 for large and medium-sized companies and 30 June 2026 for micro and small enterprises.

This regulation aims to ensure that products consumed within the EU do not contribute to global deforestation and forest degradation. The EUDR applies to seven commodities: cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya, and wood.

The regulation applies to relevant products placed on or exported from the Union Market. The regulation requires operators to ensure relevant products will not be sourced from land that was deforested after 31 December 2020. The EU Deforestation Regulation represents a significant step in the EU’s efforts to combat global deforestation and promote sustainable supply chains.

While it poses challenges for businesses, particularly in terms of compliance and administrative requirements, the EU Commission has provided some useful videos on their website which you might find informative:

• The EUDR smallholders video (available in the ‘’Overview’’ section of the Europa website: Regulation on Deforestation-free products – European Commission), and
• The EUDR policymakers video (available in the “Who does EUDR apply to” section of the Europa website: Deforestation Regulation implementation – European Commission).

There is also an SME fact sheet available on the Commission’s website – Factsheet for SMEs – European Commission.

More information can be found at www.gov.ie/EUDR