European Industry Associations Criticize Legal and Operational Uncertainty in New EUDR Plans

More than 20 European industry associations have jointly expressed serious concerns over the legal and operational uncertainties tied to the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) as recently proposed by the European Commission. The associations issued a “stop the clock” statement after the Commission decided against granting a blanket postponement of the EUDR application deadline, opting instead for limited legislative adjustments. Concerns include risks of trade disruption, compliance challenges, and unclear responsibilities for importers and producers sourcing “deforestation-free” products. The industry urges the EU to adopt pragmatic, clear, and harmonized implementation frameworks to avoid market fragmentation and maintain fair competition, while balancing environmental goals with realistic operational capacities.