The EU Deforestation Regulation aims to reduce the EU's contribution to global deforestation and forest degradation. From 2025, the raw materials palm oil, rubber, coffee, cocoa, wood, soya and cattle, as well as products made from them (in the case of cattle, the meat, but not the milk) may only be placed on the EU market or exported from the EU if they have been produced legally and not on former forest areas (=deforestation-free) and a due diligence declaration has been submitted. It sets out extensive due diligence obligations for trade in these product groups, with the scope of application being the domestic market and exports. A number of end products, including chocolate, furniture, printing paper and selected palm oil derivatives (e.g. in personal care products), are also subject to the regulations.
The European Council has adopted its position on the targeted amendment of the EU Deforestation Regulation and agreed to postpone the date of application by 12 months. If the Parliament agrees, the dates of application will be set as stated above. Deforestation-free means that there has been no conversion of forests to agricultural land on the production areas and that there have been no harvesting operations that are unsustainable and lead to a reduction or loss of biological or economic productivity and complexity of forest ecosystems. Deforestation-free means