HuffPost: Can the EUDR Survive Its Own Confusion?
HuffPost Italia has published a new piece in my column examining the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), a policy designed to protect global forests that now risks collapsing under the weight of its own complexity.
In the article, I highlight the growing confusion and institutional fragility surrounding the regulation. Originally scheduled to take effect in December 2023, the EUDR was delayed by a year to allow businesses and exporting countries time to prepare. But even with that buffer, chaos reigns.
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The European Commission recently released its long-awaited country “risk classification” labeling nations from low to high deforestation risk, nearly a month ahead of schedule and a year behind its original plan. Instead of clarifying enforcement, the move triggered diplomatic pushback from countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, which were marked “standard-risk.” They argue that the criteria lack transparency and may be politically driven.
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At the same time, calls for further delays are gaining momentum. A group of MEPs, backed by U.S. pressure and European industry groups, is urging the Commission to introduce a “zero–risk” category, simplified rules for SMEs, and formal recognition of existing certification schemes.
The debate intensified during the recent AGRIFISH Council, with Luxembourg and Austria demanding more flexibility. Italy’s position remains vague, and Commissioner Roswall’s defense of the regulation sounded more like a placeholder than a commitment.
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Meanwhile, the latest FAQ update has only deepened uncertainty among operators. Many EU member states, including Italy, have yet to fully implement the regulation, leaving companies in legal and operational limbo.
In my comment, I suggest a pragmatic way forward: delay sanctions, provide clarity, and include all stakeholders in a coordinated rollout. Without this, the EUDR risks becoming a bureaucratic burden rather than a sustainability tool and Europe could lose both credibility and momentum.
Read the full article here on HuffPost >>>
