The Government has decided that Norway will incorporate the EU Deforestation Regulation into the EEA Agreement. For other products with a high risk for deforestation, such as beef and soya, the Government will explore national regulations.

‘Deforestation is a major global issue, and converting forests into agricultural land accounts for nearly 90 percent of global deforestation. Consumers should be confident that the products they buy do not contribute to deforestation of important areas for the world’s nature and climate. This is why the Government will impose requirements on high-risk products such as wood, coffee, and cocoa’, said Minister of Climate and Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen.

The Government has decided that Norway will implement the elements of the regulation that are of EEA relevance. EEA relevance entails that a rule or a measure from the EU also will apply in Norway, due to the obligations in the EEA Agreement.

‘Incorporating the EEA relevant parts of the regulation provides predictability and is beneficial for the private sector. The Government places a strong emphasis on long-term security and cohesive solutions, a principle that is also reflected in this initiative', said Minister of Agriculture and Food, Nils Kristen Sandtrøen.

The Government has decided that agricultural products such as beef and soya, as well as exports to countries outside the EEA, will be excluded from implementation, as this falls outside the scope of the EEA Agreement.

A proposal for how the EU Deforestation Regulation will be implemented nationally, will be submitted for public consultation. At the same time, the Government will explore how the objectives of the EU regulation best can be achieved through national rules for the parts not covered by the EEA Agreement, such as beef and soya.

The EU Deforestation Regulation was adopted by the EU in 2023, and will apply from December 30, 2025.

The Regulation requires that raw materials and products traded within the EU or exported from the EU, have not contributed to deforestation or forest degradation after 2020, and that they are legally produced. This must be documented through a due diligence statement.

The regulation covers wood, coffee, rubber, oil palm, cattle, cocoa, and soya. The Norwegian Government has decided that Norway will incorporate the regulation into the EEA Agreement, but will exclude agricultural products and exports, as these fall outside the scope of the EEA Agreement. The following agricultural products are outside the EEA Agreement: cocoa beans, shells and waste, certain oil palm products, cattle (live animals, meat, and edible offal), and soya.

Consent from the Norwegian Parliament to the incorporation of the regulation into the EEA Agreement will be required. The Government will strive to ensure that this happens as quickly as possible.