Starting from December 30, 2024, the European Union will implement a new regulation (EU) 2023/1115 that prohibits the introduction to the market, commercialization, and export of products containing or produced using certain resources such as cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy, and wood, unless they meet rigorous criteria.
The regulation stipulates that products must be free from deforestation, meaning they have not been produced on deforested lands after December 31, 2020. Additionally, they must comply with relevant legislation in the production country regarding land use rights, environmental protection, labor rights, and human rights.
Operators introducing products to the market must exercise due diligence by collecting information on the origin and production of the products, including details such as product description, country of production, geolocation of the land plots used, among others.
The regulation imposes sanctions for those who violate these standards, including fines proportional to environmental damage and the value of the products, product confiscation, exclusion from public procurement, and access to public financing, among others.
This regulation aims to combat deforestation and promote sustainable practices in the production of products imported into the EU. It is expected to have a significant impact on the global supply chain and encourage the adoption of responsible practices by producers worldwide.
