Attempts by the European Commission to retrospectively rein in the “rampant bureaucracy” surrounding the EUDR have been described as “inadequate” by German Sawmill and Timber Industry Association (DeSH).
DeSH said the European Union’s latest simplification package for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) does little to achieve meaningful simplification and, in practice, continues to create uncertainty rather than clarity.
According to the organisation, instead of addressing the regulation’s underlying structural issues, the Commission is trying to retrospectively control the growing bureaucracy through a steady stream of new guidelines, FAQs and exemptions.
“The fact that the FAQs are already in their fifth version speaks volumes,” said Julia Möbus.
“Ninety-five pages are dedicated to explaining detailed questions – this hardly constitutes a genuine simplification.”
Ms Möbus said the overall aim of the EUDR, tackling global deforestation, remains both necessary and important.
“However, the EU has taken a wrong turn on the way there. The regulation has developed into a bureaucratic behemoth that poses enormous challenges for the companies affected.”
While DeSH acknowledged that the package includes some positive measures, such as clarifications around the scope of the regulation and updates to IT systems, it argued these changes do not go far enough to ease the burden on businesses.
The organisation said additional guidance and interpretive documents are instead creating fresh uncertainty, particularly around how companies are expected to implement the rules in practice.
“The association therefore continues to call for fundamental improvements to the EUDR. These include, in particular, a significant reduction in bureaucratic requirements, practical solutions for implementation in the supply chain, and genuine risk-based approaches that adequately consider regions without deforestation risk.”
