18/12/2024 (Agence Europe) – Greenpeace Europe fears that the EU-Mercosur trade agreement will conflict with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). In a statement on 16 December, the NGO explained that, according to clause 56b of the TSD annex to the free trade agreement, the competent authorities of the EUDR consider any certification system recognised by Mercosur countries as a source for determining the conformity of products with the EUDR’s traceability requirements. While operators are free to use certification systems as additional information under the EUDR, the NGO pointed out that they “do not in themselves constitute a guarantee of compliance and do not exempt operators from their due diligence and compliance obligations”. Clause 10 states that the EU should avoid taking measures to address environmental challenges outside its own jurisdiction if they risk restricting international trade. (FS)