European Commission Modifies EU Anti-Deforestation Law Product Scope

The European Commission announced modifications to the European Union's anti-deforestation law on July 13, 2026. The updated regulations remove leather, cattle hides, skins, re-treaded tyres, soybeans for sowing, and car seats from the law's scope. These exemptions follow arguments from the leather industry that its products are meat industry by-products and do not incentivize the cattle farming responsible for deforestation, although environmental groups opposed this decision.

Simultaneously, the Commission expanded the law to include instant coffee, frozen cattle tongues, and palm oil derivatives used for oleochemicals in pharmaceuticals, paints, lubricants, and food additives. These newly added products will be subject to the regulations starting December 30, 2027.

The Commission also released updates to the information-technology systems used for compliance. This follows a one-year delay caused by system readiness concerns. The broader policy had already been delayed by two years due to opposition from the United States, Brazil, and Indonesia, which cited high compliance costs and negative impacts on exports to Europe.