KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) has commended the European Commission’s (EC) decision to delay the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) until Dec 30, 2025.
MPOC chief executive officer, Belvinder Sron said the postponement was a sensible and much-needed step, providing relief for businesses that require additional time to prepare for compliance with the complex regulatory demands of the EUDR.
“This is a victory for common sense and a welcome relief for all of those businesses that highlighted the need for a delay.
“Malaysian palm oil exporters can comply with EUDR; there is no doubt about that. Malaysia’s commitment to zero deforestation is written in law,” she said in a statement today, highlighting that the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) standard is the world’s leading mandatory palm oil certification scheme.
Belvinder noted that the EC’s decision to delay implementation allows global supply chains to adjust to the EUDR’s technical and administrative requirements without risking trade disruptions, particularly for smallholder farmers.
“Malaysia has been a vocal advocate for this postponement, consistently warning that the original 2024 deadline was unfeasible, given the readiness of EU systems,” she added.
This position was supported by a broad coalition of governments, industries, and experts worldwide, all concerned about the potential negative impact on smaller producers and the palm oil industry.
Belvinder said the additional time should be used to address key concerns, including a genuine exemption for smallholders to prevent their exclusion from international supply chains, the creation of transparent benchmarking criteria to categorise sustainably-produced commodities like the Malaysian palm oil as ‘low-risk,’ and the acceptance of MSPO certification as a recognised compliance tool for the EUDR.
These improvements would facilitate market access for Malaysia’s zero-deforestation palm oil, she added.
Meanwhile, the MPOC said it remains committed to continuing its collaboration with the EU and other global stakeholders to ensure that the eventual implementation of the EUDR is both fair and practical, recognising Malaysia’s sustainable palm oil practices and supporting trade.
