EU Considers Excluding Leather from Deforestation Regulation
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The European Commission is seeking feedback on a proposal to remove leather, hides, and skins from the scope of the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The commission's analysis associates leather with significant deforestation risk, but it is balancing this with other considerations. A public consultation is underway, with a formal decision possible after a review period.
Facts First
- The European Commission (EC) is seeking feedback on excluding leather from the EU Deforestation Regulation.
- Leather is linked to up to 390 km² of deforestation annually, according to an EC Staff Working Document.
- Bovine hides could account for 17% of the total deforestation risk from all EUDR-covered commodities.
- The EC may formally adopt the draft delegated act following the public consultation.
- The European Parliament and Council have two months to object before changes are enacted.
What Happened
The European Commission (EC) published a Staff Working Document on May 4 proposing to remove leather, hides, and skins from the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The document states leather production is associated with up to 390 square kilometers of deforestation per year, an area approximately twice the size of Pisa, Italy. Bovine hides specifically could account for up to 17% of the total deforestation risk linked to all commodities covered by the EUDR. The EC stated it decided to balance 'quantitative and qualitative considerations' in making this proposal.
Why this Matters to You
If you purchase leather goods like shoes, bags, or furniture in the EU, the environmental standards for those products may be simplified, which could affect their cost and availability. The regulation's final scope will influence the deforestation footprint of products you buy, potentially affecting your choices as a consumer concerned about sustainability.
What's Next
The public consultation on the proposal is set to receive feedback by June 1. Following this, the commission may formally adopt the draft delegated act. The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union will then have a two-month period to object; if no objections are made, the changes will automatically be enacted ahead of the EUDR taking effect at the end of the year.