EU Commission Proposes Excluding Leather From Landmark Deforestation Regulation
Primary region Europe
Tags Policy · Political economy
Regions Europe
The European Commission on May 4 formally proposed removing leather, hides, and skins from the scope of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), using a delegated act mechanism that avoids full parliamentary debate. The exclusion, sought by industry groups including Italian leather goods producers, aims to avoid penalizing EU manufacturers ahead of the law's December 30 effective date. Environmental groups called the exemption 'shameful,' arguing bovine hides share origins with problematic beef supply chains.
Strategic interpretation
The leather exemption exposes tension between the EU's climate ambitions and its industrial competitiveness concerns, particularly for Mediterranean economies. The use of a delegated act mechanism — bypassing full legislative scrutiny — sets a precedent for other industries seeking exclusions, potentially undermining the entire regulatory framework before it takes effect.