The decision on Thursday follows the European Commission's admission last month that a technical failure in the law's central IT platform would push implementation back to late 2026—its second postponement, as the regulation was originally meant to take effect on 30 December 2024.
The IT setback comes on top of geopolitical tensions: both the United States and Brazil have argued that the legislation places unfair burdens on exporters and risks disrupting global trade flows. Their criticism prompted EU capitals last year to delay the law's entry into force to December 2025.
Washington has warned that the regulation acts as a barrier to "free and fair" trade, while Brasília questioned whether the scheme aligns with World Trade Organization rules. The repeated delays have fuelled frustration among environmental groups, who accuse the Commission of back-tracking.
Last month, Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall told the European Parliament that the IT malfunction made another deferral unavoidable. Green lawmakers disputed that explanation, calling it a political manoeuvre disguised as a technical problem.
"Using an IT glitch as an excuse to sideline climate legislation is unprecedented—and frankly an affront to democratic principles," said MEP Marie Toussaint, one of the Parliament's co-rapporteurs. "Ursula von der Leyen is effectively giving the planet the middle finger."
The anti-deforestation regulation requires suppliers of commodities such as cocoa, coffee, soy, palm oil, rubber, wood and beef to verify that their products are not linked to forest loss before entering the EU market.
Cutting red tape
Under the newly endorsed draft, the Commission proposes reducing the volume of information processed by the IT platform and easing administrative demands for farmers, foresters and other operators.
Companies placing goods on the EU market for resale—such as supermarket chains and chocolate manufacturers—would no longer be required to file separate due-diligence statements. Instead, they would rely on existing declarations from their importers and be required only to pass them along the supply chain.
Micro and small operators selling directly into the EU would be exempt from submitting full due-diligence documentation. Instead, small producers—including farmers and foresters—would register a one-off declaration in the IT system, with the option for cooperatives or national authorities to handle the filing on their behalf.
"In practical terms, many operators will not need to take any action at all; member states will manage the process where centralised databases already exist," a senior Commission official said, emphasising that the changes will lighten the system's technical load.
Member states yet to agree
Despite Parliament's support, the law's future remains uncertain. Member states are still negotiating revisions to address legal concerns raised by several governments, according to one EU diplomat. With the current legislation technically set to take effect on 30 December, capitals are under pressure to reach a compromise quickly.
"Any agreement requires a clear mandate from the European Council, and time is rapidly running out," the diplomat said. While most governments favour postponing implementation to 2026, there is still disagreement on whether additional simplifications—such as a new review clause—should be added.
MEPs are scheduled to vote on the law's full content during the plenary session in Strasbourg from 24–27 November.
Vidya Rangan, policy and engagement director at the ISEAL Alliance, criticised the prolonged timeline and urged the EU to maintain clarity for all parties involved.
"Data shows that agricultural expansion remains the primary driver of global deforestation," she told Euronews. "The EU's responsibility starts with implementing its anti-deforestation law without further delay. Businesses, governments and producers need stable rules and a firm start date."