EU Removes Leather From Deforestation Law

EU imports of palm oil derivatives will face the bloc’s anti-deforestation rules from December 2027, while ​leather will be exempted from the law, the European ‌Commission said on Monday.

The EU’s deforestation law will require companies selling goods including soy, coffee, beef and palm oil into the EU to ​prove their products did not cause deforestation.

Brussels had already ​delayed the launch of the policy by two years, ⁠after opposition from Brazil, Indonesia and the United States, which ​say complying would be costly and hurt their exports to ​Europe.

In the latest suite of changes, the Commission confirmed it will remove from the law leather, cattle hides and skins, re-treaded tyres, soybeans for ​sowing, and items including car seats.

At the same time, the ​EU will add palm oil derivatives used to manufacture oleochemicals, which are compounds ‌derived ⁠from natural fats and oils used in paints, pharmaceuticals, lubricants and food additives.

Instant coffee and frozen cattle tongues will also be added.

The latest additions will take effect from Dec. 30, 2027.

The ​changes are a ​win for ⁠the leather industry, which had argued that as a by-product of the meat industry, leather’s production ​does not incentivise the cattle farming that drives ​deforestation.

Environmental ⁠groups wanted leather to remain on the list.

The Commission also published adjustments to the information-technology systems that companies use to comply ⁠with the ​law. Last year, the Commission cited ​concerns about the readiness of these systems as the reason it delayed the ​law by another year.

By Kate Abnett; Editor: Andrei Khalip

Learn more:

EU Finalises Plan to Scale Back Sustainability Rules

The bloc’s overhaul sharply reduces the number of companies covered by ESG reporting and supply chain due-diligence laws, easing compliance pressures but increasing concerns over accountability.