TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

EU eases deforestation law reporting for companies

Companies have to submit a due diligence statement annually, rather than for each shipment or batch of goods placed on the EU market, the Commission said in rule changes published late on Tuesday in response to industry demands.

Reuters (AFP)
Brussels
Thu, April 17, 2025 Published on Apr. 17, 2025 Published on 2025-04-17T08:34:12+07:00

Change text size

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
EU eases deforestation law reporting for companies European Union flags flutter outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, June 5, 2020. (Reuters/Yves Herman)

C

ompanies will need less paperwork to comply with the European Union's anti-deforestation law as of December when it kicks in with changes by the European Commission.

The law will ban imports of commodities including soy, beef, cocoa and palm oil linked to forest destruction. Brussels delayed the policy's launch by a year following complaints from industries and trade partners including Brazil, Indonesia and the previous Biden administration in the United States.

Companies have to submit a due diligence statement annually, rather than for each shipment or batch of goods placed on the EU market, the Commission said in rule changes published late on Tuesday in response to industry demands.

By the end of June, the EU will categorize countries as high, standard or low risk, with imports from low-risk ones facing lighter compliance requirements.

"Our aim is to reduce administrative burden for companies while preserving the goals of the regulation," EU environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall said in a statement.

Brussels is also staving off calls from some governments and sectors, including the U.S. paper industry, for more policy changes and easier reporting obligations for firms.

Prospects

Every Monday

With exclusive interviews and in-depth coverage of the region's most pressing business issues, "Prospects" is the go-to source for staying ahead of the curve in Indonesia's rapidly evolving business landscape.

By registering, you agree with The Jakarta Post's

Thank You

for signing up our newsletter!

Please check your email for your newsletter subscription.

View More Newsletter

Some campaigners criticized the changes as weakening the law's effectiveness.

"Reducing the reporting requirements from every batch to merely once a year is the pendulum swinging extremely from one side to the other, raising concerns about how effective monitoring and enforcement can still be," said Antonie Fountain, director of the nonprofit VOICE Network, which campaigns for cocoa sector reform.

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Share options

Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!

Change text size options

Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you.

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!

Continue in the app

Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.