On 2 October 2024, the European Commission announced a proposal to delay the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) for an additional 12 months. This was officially ratified by the European Parliament on 14 November.
The Commission considers postponing the enforcement of the regulation until 30 December 2025 for large companies and 30 June 2026 for micro- and small enterprises, a ‘balanced solution’ to support operators around the world in securing a smooth implementation from the start. It will give companies more time to prepare, embed due diligence systems and familiarise staff and supply chains to comply with the rigorous steps that trace wood products from harvest to the marketplace.
Whilst PEFC has acknowledged the amendment to the implementation date, our EUDR Alignment Project continues as planned, and the revised PEFC Sustainable Forest Management benchmark standard was approved by the PEFC General Assembly on 13 November 2024. This revised standard, PEFC ST 1003:2024, comprises several new and amended requirements that will enable EUDR alignment for timber-products sourced from PEFC-certified forests and marks an important step in the PEFC roadmap to EUDR alignment.
While the PEFC Sustainable Forest Management benchmark standard already covered a much wider spectrum of sustainability safeguards, reaching far beyond EUDR requirements and scope, some additions and amendments were needed to enable full EUDR alignment.
The main elements included further structuring of the various forest input categories and specification for deforestation and forest degradation EUDR definitions. In addition, the modifications create a clearer and enabling environment for Trees Outside Forests (TOF) to contribute to sustainable supply chains in the PEFC framework. These additional features build on the national and regional forestry contexts while ensuring comparability at international level.
PEFC’s national members – including PEFC UK – will now plan amendments to their national and regional sustainable forest management standards to align them with this revised benchmark standard. This work will begin at the national level over the next few months. Following a successful assessment, the amended national standards will receive PEFC endorsement and will be ready for forest owners and managers in that country to start implementing and producing PEFC-
certified material that complies with EUDR requirements.
PEFC will continue to monitor the developments within the European Commission and the European Parliament, following the 14 November vote for a number of legislative changes in the context of the EUDR. If needed, the revised Sustainable Forest Management benchmark standard will be adjusted.
At a chain of custody level, the PEFC EUDR Due Diligence System (DDS) Module Standard, which was published in July 2024, is designed to support PEFC certified companies in demonstrating their compliance with the EUDR.
It can be used by any organisation within the supply chain, no matter where the organisation is based or what their EUDR obligations are. Head here for more on the PEFC EUDR DDS module PEFC ST 2002-1:2024.