1. All efforts to strengthen the traceability and the sustainability of commodity production in partner countries are welcome. The more robust these systems become, and the more aligned with the requirements of the EUDR, the easier it will be for operators in the EU to prove that the commodities they are importing are compliant with the EUDR.
The EUDR clarifies that public and private certification systems could be used as risk mitigation tools, provided that those systems are able to supply the information required by the EUDR, in particular traceability via geolocation. Companies, in any case, will still be required to conduct due diligence – and be held accountable for any potential breach of the regulation. This was also the situation under the EU Timber Regulation.
The Commission is ready to support further development of public traceability systems and setting up of new ones, in order to achieve higher level of standards and ensure that these standards are implemented and monitored. The Commission will also seek to ensure that all relevant stakeholders, including smallholders, have access to effective traceability systems.
2. The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is set to enter into application on 30 December 2024. Any postponement would require a legislative change. This would not achieve our goal to provide legal predictability for operators as soon as possible. We are therefore focusing on ensuring that all the elements necessary for the implementation of the Regulation are ready on time, including the guidance for economic operators and Member States, and the IT system.