On December 30, the EUDR will officially enter into force. The goal is clear: to tackle deforestation by imposing strict due diligence obligations on supply chains involving seven key commodities – cattle, cocoa, coffee, rubber, timber, palm oil, and soy. Yet, with the deadline just over two months away, uncertainty remains high. Some are calling for further delays, others for scaling down – or even scraping – the regulation. Meanwhile, the Netherlands has taken a pragmatic approach by launching so-called “dry runs”.

Promising Tests, but no one is fully ready

The Dutch trials have provided valuable insights: operators have shown willingness to comply, but none were found to be fully compliant. This means that, under the current legal framework, potentially everyone would risk sanctions from the very start.

Why more time matters now

The challenges do not stem from a lack of commitment, but from the complexity of global supply chains. Gathering, verifying, and validating data throughout the entire chain is far from simple – it requires the right tools, resources, and above all, time. This is why, as we already proposed to the European Commission a year ago, the most effective solution is not to delay the regulation itself, but to suspend penalties for at least two years. This would allow companies to adapt gradually, test solutions, and reduce errors without the threat of punishment. A trial period would also benefit EU competent authorities, who currently lack the tools to conduct effective checks and cannot realistically impose sanctions on operators facing clear implementation difficulties.

Risk of fragmentation across Europe

The Netherlands is offering clarity and attracting operators, while key countries like Italy and Spain are standing still. This lack of harmonization threatens the integrity of the single market and is pushing operators to favor ports perceived as safer. Ultimately, it’s European consumers who will pay the price – already facing rising costs due to speculation and regulatory uncertainty.

Our Call to the Italian Government

We have urged Minister Lollobrigida to act swiftly at the EU level to support a temporary suspension of penalties, accompanied by a firm commitment from Italian operators to comply with the EUDR during this transition phase.
Only then can the regulation enter into force on time and tuners into a real success – rather than a blow to Italy’s competitiveness and a setback for Europe’s credibility.