Overview
- Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall proposed shifting the law’s start by one year, with application now targeted for late 2026.
- Under the plan reported by multiple outlets, rules would begin for large companies at the end of 2026 and for small and medium firms on 30 June 2027.
- The regulation would prohibit EU sales of coffee, palm oil, soy, cocoa, rubber and beef produced on land deforested after 2020.
- Officials say the delay stems from concerns that due‑diligence IT systems could be overloaded by the required satellite‑based geolocation submissions and related data processing.
- The proposal now goes to the 27 member states and the European Parliament, as EPP lawmakers and Germany’s agriculture minister press for a ‘zero‑risk’ exemption that critics warn could weaken the regime; the Commission says the delay is unrelated to U.S. concerns or ongoing trade talks.