Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 14 JUNE 2023

Market Intelligence Thought Leadership Award Winner

European Union Publishes Deforestation Regulation

Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown
Contributor
Mayer Brown

Mayer Brown

Mayer Brown is a leading international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major...

View firm profile
Explore more from Mayer Brown

On 31 May 2023, the European Parliament (the "EP") and the Council of the European Union (the "Council") adopted Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on the making available...

European UnionEnvironment
Paulette Vander Schueren
Paulette Vander Schueren
Dylan Geraets
Dylan Geraets
Nikolay Mizulin
Nikolay Mizulin
Irina Antoshevska
Irina Antoshevska
Author LinkedIn connections

On 31 May 2023, the European Parliament (the"EP") and the Council of the European Union (the"Council") adopted Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation and repealing Regulation (EU) No 995/2010 (the "Deforestation Regulation" or the "Regulation").1The Regulation was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 9 June 2023 and will enter into force on 29 June 2023, although the main prohibitions and obligations will not apply until 30 December 2024.

The Deforestation Regulation is aimed at (a) minimising the Union's contribution to deforestation and forest degradation worldwide, and thereby contributing to a reduction in global deforestation, and (b) reducing the Union's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and global biodiversity loss.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Visit us at mayerbrown.com

Mayer Brown is a global services provider comprising associated legal practices that are separate entities, including Mayer Brown LLP (Illinois, USA), Mayer Brown International LLP (England & Wales), Mayer Brown (a Hong Kong partnership) and Tauil & Chequer Advogados (a Brazilian law partnership) and non-legal service providers, which provide consultancy services (collectively, the “Mayer Brown Practices”). The Mayer Brown Practices are established in various jurisdictions and may be a legal person or a partnership. PK Wong & Nair LLC (“PKWN”) is the constituent Singapore law practice of our licensed joint law venture in Singapore, Mayer Brown PK Wong & Nair Pte. Ltd. Details of the individual Mayer Brown Practices and PKWN can be found in the Legal Notices section of our website. “Mayer Brown” and the Mayer Brown logo are the trademarks of Mayer Brown.

© Copyright 2024. The Mayer Brown Practices. All rights reserved.

This Mayer Brown article provides information and comments on legal issues and developments of interest. The foregoing is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject matter covered and is not intended to provide legal advice. Readers should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to the matters discussed herein.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

EU Sustainability Omnibus Package: Key Changes And Implications For Businesses

The European Union has introduced a comprehensive Sustainability Omnibus Package that will significantly impact how businesses across member states approach environmental, social, and governance reporting. Understanding these regulatory changes is crucial for companies operating in or with the EU to ensure compliance and adapt their sustainability strategies accordingly.
European UnionEnvironment
Eversheds Sutherland
Eversheds Sutherland
Article

Rewilding And Carbon Credits: A New Income Stream For Landowners

As sustainability pressures mount and net-zero targets drive demand for carbon offsetting, UK landowners face a significant opportunity to generate income through carbon credit schemes. With the market contributing £1.2 billion to the UK economy in 2025 and carbon credits trading at £25-£35 per tonne, peatland restoration and woodland creation projects offer substantial returns while enhancing biodiversity and environmental protection.
United KingdomEnvironment
Withers LLP
Withers LLP
Article

ESOS Phase 4 Guidance Published: What Businesses Need To Know

The Environment Agency has released updated guidance for Phase 4 of the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), introducing new reporting requirements and compliance changes. Organizations must now provide detailed information about implemented energy efficiency measures, including energy savings achieved and relevant categories, while Display Energy Certificates and Green Deal Assessments are no longer accepted as alternative compliance routes.
United KingdomEnvironment
Burges Salmon LLP
Burges Salmon LLP
Article

Environment Agency Consults On Updates To Its Enforcement And Sanctions Policy

The Environment Agency has launched a consultation on significant reforms to its Enforcement and Sanctions Policy, introducing new civil penalty frameworks and automatic financial penalties for water companies under the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025. The proposed changes expand enforcement mechanisms across multiple sectors including waste management, packaging regimes, and mercury controls, while establishing a fundamentally different regulatory approach for water sector operators that allows penalties
United KingdomEnvironment
Burges Salmon LLP
Burges Salmon LLP
Article

Cleaning Up The Laundry: Innovations In Mitigating Microplastic Contamination From Man-made Fabrics

Microplastic contamination from synthetic textiles poses a growing environmental threat, with fibres from man-made fabrics entering water systems through washing machine effluent. As countries like France mandate microplastic filters in washing machines and the EU implements new wastewater treatment rules, innovative companies are developing filtration technologies and novel removal methods to combat this pervasive pollution problem.
United KingdomEnvironment
HGF Law
HGF Law
Article

Timeline Of ESG Developments In 2026

The ESG regulatory landscape continues to evolve rapidly in 2026, with significant developments including the EU Omnibus simplification amendments and ongoing UK Sustainability Reporting Standards efforts. This comprehensive timeline tracks key ESG developments across the UK and EU throughout 2026, providing essential horizon scanning support for sustainability practitioners navigating the complex regulatory environment.
United KingdomEnvironment
Slaughter and May
Slaughter and May
Article

We’re Going Wild: Nature Restoration Levy And The First Draft Environmental Delivery Plan

The UK government has introduced a radical new National Planning Policy Framework alongside groundbreaking Nature Restoration Levy Regulations, fundamentally reshaping how development impacts on protected habitats are managed. This policy shift moves away from project-by-project environmental assessments toward strategic-scale nature restoration funded through a developer levy system. Will this new approach successfully balance the urgent need for housing and infrastructure with legal obligations to restore
United KingdomEnvironment
Lester Aldridge LLP
Lester Aldridge LLP
Article

Trump Administration Announces New Enforcement Actions Against Employers In H-1B And PERM Fraud Probes

The Trump Administration has launched an unprecedented investigation into H-1B visa and PERM labor certification programs, with the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General issuing dozens of subpoenas and suspending employers' ability to process applications. Federal agencies are deploying new enforcement tools including whistleblower programs and criminal prosecution threats...
United StatesImmigration
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown
Article

AI Regulation In Singapore And Hong Kong: A Mid-Year Checkpoint

Singapore and Hong Kong continue to regulate artificial intelligence through existing laws and voluntary frameworks rather than comprehensive AI statutes, but the first half of 2026 has brought sharper emphasis on practical controls including agentic AI governance, assurance and testing, financial-sector oversight and cyber resilience. Both jurisdictions are building concrete expectations around risk management, transparency, human accountability and operational safeguards while avoiding horizontal AI legis
GlobalStrategy
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown
Article

DOL Announces New Enforcement Policy For Mental Health Parity Nonquantitative Treatment Limitation Requirements

The US Department of Labor has issued new guidance establishing a streamlined framework for enforcing mental health parity requirements under MHPAEA, focusing enforcement on three priority areas while maintaining nonenforcement of controversial 2024 rule provisions. This guidance aims to reduce compliance burdens on plan sponsors while ensuring participants maintain access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits comparable to medical and surgical coverage.
United StatesEmployment and HR
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown
Article

SEC Staff Statement On Fair Value Measurement And Disclosure Considerations For Private Assets

The SEC Staff has issued new guidance addressing fair value measurement and disclosure practices for private credit and other illiquid assets held by registered funds and business development companies. As private credit portfolios have grown nearly 60% since 2020, reaching $270 billion, regulators emphasize the critical importance of robust valuation methodologies, transparent disclosure of significant judgments, and careful application of accounting standards when market prices are unavailable.
United StatesAccounting and Audit
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown
Article

Russia/Ukraine Sanctions Update - Month Of August 2026

This monthly update tracks the latest developments in Russia/Ukraine sanctions across US, EU, and UK jurisdictions, covering new designations, general license extensions, legislative proposals, and enforcement actions. The update also examines Russia's countermeasures, including shadow fleet expansion and legal restrictions on foreign investors, while highlighting international coordination efforts by Switzerland, Canada, and New Zealand.
GlobalInternational Law
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown
Article

European Union Adopts 21st Package Against Russia & Parallel Sanctions On Belarus

The European Union has adopted its 21st package of sanctions against Russia and Belarus, significantly expanding restrictions across finance, energy, crypto, and military-industrial sectors. This comprehensive package introduces 218 new designations, freezes the oil price cap, imposes stricter LNG controls, and closes loopholes while reinforcing measures to discourage third-party sanctions evasion. The sanctions also strengthen protections for EU operators and facilitate business exits from Russia.
European UnionInternational Law
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown
Article

Trump’s China Visit Will Likely Extend Trade Truce, While Points Of Friction Remain

President Trump's May 2026 state visit to China yielded agreements on trade boards, agricultural purchases, and tariff stability, but tensions persist over export controls and military company designations. As both nations pursue "strategic stability," multinational companies face increasing compliance conflicts from competing regulatory frameworks. Will the planned bilateral forums successfully navigate friction points in semiconductors, rare earths, and defense sectors?
ChinaInternational Law
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown
Article

EU AI Act News: Digital Omnibus On AI, New Guidance On Risk Classification, GPAI, And Transparency Obligations

The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act continues to evolve with significant regulatory updates that reshape compliance timelines and clarify key obligations. Recent developments include the Digital Omnibus on AI, which extends implementation deadlines for high-risk systems and introduces new prohibitions on harmful AI applications, alongside comprehensive guidance from the European Commission on classification criteria, transparency requirements, and general-purpose AI model obligations.
European UnionIntellectual Property
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown