The European Union has once again postponed the implementation of its anti-deforestation regulation, initially set to come into force in January 2025.

The measure, designed to ensure imports do not contribute to forest degradation, will be delayed by another year, confirmed Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall. 

In a letter to the European Parliament and Council, Roswall explained the decision by citing “operational difficulties related to technology and the need to avoid uncertainty among authorities.”

The regulation is seen as one of the bloc’s most ambitious environmental initiatives, yet it faces increasing challenges in its rollout. 

The legislation aims to ensure that imports such as beef, cocoa, soy, or palm oil are not linked to deforested land. Between 1990 and 2020, around 420 million hectares of forests were lost globally—an area larger than the European Union itself. Deforestation is also responsible for more CO₂ emissions than aviation and maritime shipping combined. 

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The first delay, announced in October 2024, came after pressure from member states like Germany and economic sectors such as supermarkets and agribusiness. Now, the main argument centers on digital limitations. “

The IT requirements far exceed expectations, which could jeopardize the proper functioning of the regulation. If the systems fail, companies will not be able to submit the mandatory declarations,” acknowledged a Commission official. 

Brussels has denied that this new postponement is linked to ongoing trade negotiations with countries such as the United States or Japan.

Still, the timing overlaps with the EU’s recent trade deal with Indonesia, which eliminates 98.5% of tariffs, raising concerns among observers. Greenpeace has repeatedly warned that Indonesia’s palm oil industry is a major driver of deforestation, with 25 producers clearing more than 130,000 hectares of tropical forest since 2015. 

The delay has sparked criticism from environmental NGOs, who argue that political will is lacking at a crucial moment for the green transition. “Every year lost means more forests destroyed and more emissions,” Greenpeace warned.