CHOCOA 2023 

EU Deforestation Regulation entered into force in June 2023 

 

On June 29th 2023 the EU Regulation on deforestation-free supply chains

entered into force. Once applied, the new law will ensure that a set of 

key goods exported or placed on the EU market must be deforestation

free, and thus will no longer contribute to deforestation and forest

degradation in the EU and elsewhere in the world.   

Companies will have to confirm that the product has been produced on land that has not been subject to deforestation or forest degradation, including of primary forests, after 31 December 2020. While no country or commodity will be banned,  all relevant companies will have to conduct strict due diligence if they export or place on the EU market palm oil, cattle, soy, coffee, cocoa, timber and rubber as well as derived products such as beef, furniture, or chocolate listed in the Annex to the Regulation upon the entry into application of the new rules in 18 months. The list of commodities that are covered will be regularly reviewed and updated, taking into account new data such as changing deforestation patterns.  

Companies will also have to verify that these products comply with relevant legislation of the country of production, including on human rights, and that the rights of affected indigenous peoples have been respected.  

Operators and traders now have 18 months to implement the new rules. Micro and small enterprises will enjoy a longer adaptation period, as well as other specific provisions.  

Chocoa 2023 will include to sessions of the European Markets Academy (in English and Spanish) and one special Chocolate Makers’ Forum session that will discuss the consequences of and guidance for the new regulation and other upcoming legislation concerning social and environmental sustainability and forced labour, for cocoa producers and chocolate makers inside and outside of the EU.