'The European Union Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR)', 2 October (updated 3 October) 2025

Dear Ms Roswall,

The companies and other organisations which have signed this letter, which operate in the cocoa, dairy, rubber, wood and other agri-food sectors, believe that clear, predictable, and comprehensive regulations on environmental and human rights responsibilities are important for the EU’s long-term competitiveness...

The company signatories to this letter, together with their value chain partners – including smallholder farmers – have been actively preparing and investing in compliance with the current provisions of the EUDR, which we have consistently supported. These efforts have been made in good faith that the European legislative framework and timeline were reliable...

The proposed delay puts at risk the preservation of forests worldwide, will accelerate climate change impacts, and undermines trust in Europe’s regulatory commitments. We deeply regret that a technical IT issue risks jeopardising the EUDR’s core objectives and entry into force, three months before the implementation deadline for companies. This approach would introduce considerable uncertainty and stakeholder disengagement and result in additional compliance expenses for businesses, contrary to the intended simplification.

We call on the European Commission to avoid using this issue as grounds to reopen, delay, or change the EUDR. Instead, the Commission should adopt a pragmatic approach...

We urge the European Commission to provide clarity on its intended next steps as soon as possible to avoid additional uncertainty...

We stand ready to continue the discussions on practical solutions that are fit for purpose and do not penalise the long-standing investments of our companies and the higher standards of European businesses...

[Full letter including list of signatories available above]