BRUSSELS — The European Commission, bowing to concerns lodged by international stakeholders including U.S. trade groups, proposed delaying the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) set to go into effect Dec. 30.

If approved by the European Parliament and the Council, the law would not be applicable until Dec. 30, 2025, for large companies and June 30, 2026, for micro and small enterprises.

According to the commission’s website, “Given the EUDR's novel character, the swift calendar, and the variety of international stakeholders involved, the Commission considers that a 12-month additional time to phase in the system is a balanced solution to support operators around the world in securing a smooth implementation from the start. With this step, the Commission aims to provide certainty about the way forward and to ensure the success of the EUDR, which is paramount to address the EU's contribution to the pressing global issue of deforestation. The extension proposal in no way puts into question the objectives or the substance of the law, as agreed by the EU co-legislators.”

The Hardwood Federation and Decorative Hardwoods Association are among a consortium of eight U.S. organizations led by the American Hardwood Export Council that welcomed the proposed delay. The consortium had asked for a 24-month delay in a letter sent to the commission in May, while also arguing that compliance with the EUDR would be unnecessarily burdensome for U.S. wood companies because deforestation in the U.S. is negligible.

“This action signals much needed flexibility for a rule that the U.S. wood products industry and broader agriculture sector deem to be unworkable.” The Hardwood Federation noted on a post on its website.

“The European Commission appears to have finally listened to concerns and called for a delay in implementation,” observed Keith Christman, president of DHA. “This is a very good and important step. However, it is not sufficient. EUDR is fatally flawed with respect to forest products, particularly in the U.S. and for many small landowners. Despite virtually nonexistent deforestation due to agriculture in the U.S., this regulation remains a huge burden and is unworkable for U.S. hardwoods. We will continue to work with AHEC and other allies to fix the regulations.”

The EUDR aims to ensure that key goods placed on the EU market will no longer contribute to deforestation and forest degradation in the EU and elsewhere in the world. “Deforestation and forest degradation,” the commission said, “are important drivers of climate change and biodiversity loss — the two key environmental challenges of our time.”