On 02 October, the European Commission announced a proposal for an extra 12 months of phasing-in time of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). FSC was founded in 1994, following the Rio Summit, in response to governmental inaction on global forestry issues.
“We welcome ongoing developments in forestry legislation and sustainability initiatives worldwide, and we strongly believe that mandatory and voluntary actions must work hand-in-hand to achieve meaningful sustainability outcomes,” said Matteo Mascolo, FSC's Lead for EU Affairs & Engagement.FSC fully supports the creation of deforestation-free markets and continues to underline the urgency of swift action to prevent deforestation. FSC was one of 170 NGOs co-signing a letter of urgency for the timely implementation of the Regulation.
Dr. Joanna Nowakowska, System Performance Director, FSC International said "Our mission, Forests For All, Forever, remains at the heart of our efforts. We have worked diligently to prepare solutions that support businesses in meeting their EUDR obligations ahead of the original deadline, and our commitment to this cause remains unwavering."
While the European Commission’s proposal to potentially postpone the EUDR still requires agreement with the co-legislators, this should not be seen as a reduction in commitment to this vital legislation. FSC will continue to provide companies with the tools, solutions, and guidance needed to comply with the EUDR and other relevant sustainability initiatives, ensuring they are fully prepared when the regulation takes effect.
“We encourage companies to leverage FSC’s existing and upcoming solutions to complement their efforts in meeting EUDR obligations. We believe that protecting forests is a shared responsibility, and we remain dedicated to assisting all stakeholders—within and beyond our membership—on this critical journey” concluded Anand Punja, FSC’s Chief Engagement and Partnership Officer.
More updates will be shared publicly on the FSC International website.