The German Printing and Media Industries Federation hailed the European Union’s decision to delay the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation and streamline obligations for companies across the supply chain. The agreement reached on December 4 by EU member states and parliament postpones the regulation’s entry into force by one year and clarifies that due diligence responsibilities will be concentrated at the start of the supply chain rather than replicated at every stage.

For the print industry, the move prevents what many feared would be an unmanageable compliance burden, especially for companies with complex upstream sourcing structures. The elimination of repeated declarations and extensive data-sharing from forest to retailer reflects the position BVDM and partner associations had advocated throughout negotiations. Their efforts also helped secure a full exemption for printed products such as newspapers, books and magazines, recognising that European-made print goods do not contribute to deforestation.

The decision acknowledges the strength of the European recycling system, the high share of recycled fibre in paper production and the widespread use of certified virgin fibre sources. BVDM views the exemption as a vote of confidence in the print value chain’s commitment to sustainable production and resource stewardship.

As the regulation moves toward formal adoption and future revision by April 2026, BVDM is urging policymakers to avoid loopholes that could allow non-compliant paper or print imports to undermine the EU market. The federation will continue working with partners to shape a fair, practical, and balanced implementation framework that supports both forest protection and the competitiveness of Europe’s printing and media companies.