Deforestation Ordinance: Agreement reached on a trade-friendly solution

The European Parliament and the Council have reached a provisional political agreement on amendments to the deforestation regulation. The skilled trades sector welcomes the compromise.

In the trilogue negotiations on the deforestation regulation, the the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on from the EU Commission The proposed amendments can be agreed upon. According to the Commission, they offer "clarity and predictability regarding the entry into force and the requirements for economic operators." For the amendments to enter into force, they still need to be formally adopted by Parliament and the Council.

Planned changes:

• An additional year for economic operators to prepare before the regulation enters into force,
• Streamlined obligations for downstream operators and traders,
• A simplified one-time registration for micro and small primary operators from low-risk countries,
• Books, newspapers and printed matter are removed from the scope of the regulation.

The skilled trades sector welcomes the compromise reached. "This addresses key demands of the skilled trades. Based on the 'once only' principle, due diligence and reporting obligations will in future only apply to the person who first introduces the product to the European single market," explains Holger Schwannecke, Secretary General of the [Association/Organization Name - if available]. Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH).

The changes ensure that bureaucracy is avoided where it leads nowhere, namely for small craft businesses in the downstream value chain. It is also positive that the Commission is to examine further possible simplifications by April 2026. "Now the EU legislators must swiftly adopt the negotiated agreement by the end of the year," demands Schwanncke.

Construction industry sees signal of reason

The construction industry also welcomes the compromise: "The EU agreement is an important signal of common sense. The 'once-only' principle clearly stipulates that due diligence and reporting obligations will fall where they belong: on the companies that first place products on the European market. This means a noticeable reduction in workload for construction companies in the downstream value chain," explains Felix Pakleppa.

The construction industry stands for the protection of forests, emphasizes the managing director of the Central Association of the German Construction IndustryThe crucial point is that entire industries must not be placed under general suspicion. The approach now adopted ensures effective controls and practical procedures for all involved. The postponement is necessary because the legal and technical prerequisites are not yet in place.

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