Belgium Gears Up To Enforce The EU Deforestation Regulation

Introduction

The EU Deforestation Regulation ('EUDR') was published in the Official Journal on 9 June 2023 and entered into force on 29 June 2023,marking the start of its implementation phase. As the EU legislator has adopted a decentralized enforcement approach, Member States need to set up the necessary legal frameworks to fulfil their enforcement duties under the EUDR. As will be discussed below, Belgium has taken a first important step in that regard by recently amending its Product Standards Law to impose penalties on companies that fail to comply with the EUDR. Additionally, we will briefly consider the recent opposition from Member States regarding the EUDR's proposed implementation schedule.