"Lawyers roll their eyes as EU Commission blames "IT issues" for another deforestation regulation delay", 23 September 2025

ClientEarth lawyers have expressed frustration at the EU Commission’s decision to delay the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) for the second time in a year, citing IT problems...

This postponement would add another year to the 12 month delay announced in autumn 2024. 

ClientEarth lawyer Michael Rice said:
"This would be funny if it wasn’t so tragic. The Commission is making a fool of itself by using its own inadequate IT system as an excuse to delay the world’s most important forest law for a second time in 12 months.  In the current era of rapid technological evolution, it is ludicrous that the administration of the world’s biggest single market apparently can’t handle the data..

"This law could finally address the EU’s role in driving global deforestation and help protect the world’s remaining forests and the Indigenous communities defending them. It is crucial in the fight against catastrophic climate change and biodiversity loss.

“We cannot hit pause on the climate crisis. Delaying this law actively prevents action, threatening Indigenous Peoples’ livelihoods and letting down millions of European citizens, as well as countless businesses and farmers who have invested to comply. It’s high time to take the rules seriously and implement them. "