🔗 Share this article EU Anti-Deforestation Regulation Effectively 'Dismantled' After Initial Fanfare Widely celebrated as a landmark regulation that would help stop the global scourge of deforestation. But, the final version of the EU's deforestation regulation, previously heralded as the crown jewel of the European Green Deal, has been passed in a severely weakened state, prompting alarm from its initial author and environmental politicians. "It has been stripped," said Hugo Schally, pointing to the exclusion of crucial requirements for downstream traders to verify the provenance of products like palm oil, soy, wood, beef, rubber, cocoa and coffee. Schally cautioned that fewer obligated actors, less information collected, and less precise origin data would complicate the task of authorities. Political Dismantling Environmental MEP Marie Toussaint went further, describing the postponements, exceptions and new loopholes – such as one for paper goods – as the "political dismantling" of the law. This outcome stands in stark contrast to the hopes of more than a million EU citizens who supported an initiative in 2020 calling for a ban on deforestation-linked products. When launched in 2021, the EU's climate chief Frans Timmermans called it "the most ambitious law ever put forward to combat deforestation." From Ambition to Compromise The law's unravelling is seen by critics as the EU walking back its green talk. The proposal encountered significant delays, ostensibly over IT issues, which sparked criticism. "By reopening this file rather than fixing a technical issue, authorities invited political interference," remarked the Green MEP. Originally, the regulation required companies to trace commodities back to their exact plot of land using geolocation data, holding them accountable for forest loss along their supply lines with criminal charges and large financial penalties. "It wasn't bureaucracy for its own sake," the former official said. "These rules were the tool that ensured enforcement, created a verifiable paper trail, and prevented firms from obscuring their activities behind complex supply chains." Intense Lobbying However, the rigorous checks provoked opposition in Brussels from multinational corporations, producer countries, conservative political groups and EU logging states. Analysts point to last year's EU elections as a decisive moment, shifting the balance of power less favorable toward green regulations. "Additional intense pressure came from big trading partners like the United States," said corporate sustainability professor, implying the EU yielded to some requests during negotiations. The Weakened Final Text In the final legislation features several critical weakenings: Downstream operators were mostly exempted from submitting due diligence statements. A new exemption for small operators was created. A option for more reductions was opened for next spring. Only four countries – Russia, Belarus, North Korea and Myanmar – will face the strictest monitoring. "Rather than strengthening rules for companies, it rolled them back," said the law's author. "Moving obligations to producers, it reduced accountability." Business Frustration The delays and changes have also created annoyance for companies that prepared in advance. "It is very frustrating because we invested significant resources into complying," stated Xavier Rombouts. "We purchased systems, trained staff and established procedures... now they’re saying it may be changed. It’s a big frustration." Official Defense An EU representative defended the outcome, stating: "We have listened to concerns and taken action to ensure a pragmatic and balanced implementation." "The revised regulation ensures stability, which is key for business and national regulators to successfully implement this vitally important regulation."