EU Delays Anti-Deforestation Rules for Second Year

The European Commission has suggested that regulations to carry out the European Union’s complex anti-deforestation law should be delayed for a second year. The rules were originally intended to be imposed as of last December 31st. As year-end approached, the rules were postponed for 12 months.

The rules were intended to track wood from the forest through lumber production to final construction or consumer products. The rules’ detail and complexity have been the target of intense criticism from major players in the international forest products economy.

EU officials signalled that they were looking into simplification of the rules to relieve the burden of red tape and massive data filings implied by the regulations. The data requirements were said to risk an overload of information on the EU’s IT system.

The law had established compliance with the regulations as mandatory for the importation of forest products.

Besides wood products, the rules could impact coffee, soy, and palm oil.