EU will ban products that cause deforestation

The European Parliament (EP) approved the law that prohibits the import to countries of the European Union (EU) of various products such as soybeans, beef, palm oil, wood, cocoa and coffee produced by damage to forests.

At the EP General Assembly session held in Strasbourg, the law designed to prevent deforestation in the world, combat climate change and prevent the loss of biodiversity was approved with 552 votes in favor.

By law, products sold on EU markets must not cause deforestation worldwide. Companies will be able to sell products that do not cause deforestation or forest degradation on the EU market.

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ATTENTION WILL BE CONDITIONED

In particular, products such as palm oil, beef, timber, coffee, cocoa, rubber, and soybeans, as well as chocolate, furniture, paper, and leather will not contribute to deforestation.

A duty of care will be required of those who supply the products in question to the EU market.

Only products produced on land not subject to deforestation or deforestation will be able to access the EU market after December 31, 2020.

The EU will classify the countries that produce these products as low, normal and high risk.

The risk category will determine the level of obligations in the audits to be carried out. Companies that do not comply with the determined rules can be fined up to 4 percent of their annual turnover in the EU country.

Said regulation will enter into force when it is published in the Official Gazette of the EU after the official approval of the EU countries. (AA)