Source: European Parliament
The assessment for the classification of countries will be based on criteria in Article 29(3) and (4) of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)[1], adopted by the European Parliament and the Council.
The quantitative criteria are: (a) rate of deforestation and forest degradation, (b) rate of expansion of agriculture land for relevant commodities and (c) production trends of relevant commodities and of relevant products. The assessment may also take into account the provisions of Article 29(4) (a)-(e).
In accordance with its obligations, the Commission is developing the methodology and conducting the assessment, considering latest scientific evidence and internationally recognised sources, in full respect of the principles of fairness, objectivity and transparency.
Pursuant to Article 29(5), the Commission shall engage in a specific dialogue with all countries that are, or risk to be classified as high risk.
Regular updates on the risk classification process and methodology take place in the Multi-stakeholder Platform on deforestation[2], where many stakeholders take part, alongside with third countries and the 27 EU Member States.
The list of the countries or parts thereof, that present a low or high risk shall be published by means of implementing act. The draft implementing act will be submitted to EU Member States as part of the comitology procedure in accordance with the examination procedure referred in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011[3].
- [1] Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 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, OJ L 150, 9.6.2023, p. 206-247.
- [2] https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/expert-groups/consult?lang=en&do=groupDetail.groupDetail&groupID=3282
- [3] Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers, OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13-18.