Coming into force of the European Union Deforestation Regulation

As of December 30, 2025, the European Union Deforestation Regulation will take effect. This regulation seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the import and transit of products from forests. MBK and sole proprietors will have a little longer: for them the rules will apply as of June 30, 2026.

European importers and producers will be prohibited from using products if they come from land deforested after Dec. 30, 2020. These include: oil palm, cattle and related products, timber, cocoa, soy, coffee (beans) and rubber. Products made from these commodities may also no longer be imported or produced.

This regulation does not cover the import and processing of illegally harvested timber. Other rules already apply to that.

To demonstrate compliance, companies will be required to submit information to Customs and other government agencies, such as NVWA, showing where the products come from and which traders in the chain were involved in the import/processing. They must also provide the geo-location in coordinates of where the product can be traced. Both Customs and NVWA will perform checks. Products from a country with a high risk of deforestation, will be checked more often than other products.

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Do you have a question about European legislation? Or do you have another legal question? Please feel free to contact experienced attorney John Wolfs.