Industry Information

September 2024

The Asian Cocoa Paper 

Prepared by the Cocoa Association of Asia (CAA), Sustainability Committee  

• The Region Asia Pacific is increasingly craving for cocoa and chocolate products. However, there is not enough Asian cocoa beans to cater for such demand, making the Asian cocoa industry dependent on beans imported from West Africa and Latin America. The Cocoa Industry needs more Asian Cocoa. The CAA has created a platform for uncommon collaboration between industry players and NGOs focusing on three priorities: Increase cocoa productivity and farmer income, share Good Agricultural Practices, and attract young farmers to grow cocoa. 

17 November 2021

• Proposal for a regulation on deforestation-free products

19 November 2022

• SWD_2021_326_1_EN_Deforestation impact_assessment_part1.pdf
• SWD_2021_326_1_EN_Deforestation impact_assessment_part2.pdf
• Synopsis Report on Stakeholder Consultation.pdf
• IA Deforestation – final report (draft) 20210331 Trinomics (commented)
• SWD_2021_328_1_EN_EUTR-FLEGT Reg fitness check.pdf
• Interim report FC EUTR FLEGT ENV
• Interim report FC Annexes ENV

31 May 2023

• Text in the Official Journal of the EU: Regulation (EU) 2023/ 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 (europa.eu)

9 June 2023

• Official Journal of the European Union – Legislation Volume 66

• ICE Benchmark Administration Plans to Launch ICE Commodity Traceability Service to Help Cocoa and Coffee Industries Comply with EU Deforestation Regulation

• White paper (ICE) : Ensuring the Effective Implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation by Adapting Existing Industry Best Practices

7 September 2023

• CAA Organized Webinar with multiple stakeholders including the European Commission
  • CAA EUDR Webinar – Slides
  • CAA EUDR Webinar – Recording

19 September 2023

• London Cocoa Futures Contract – update on potential Contract Rule amendments in response to the European Deforestation Regulation 

8 December 2023

• ICE/CAA Luncheon & ICoT Presentation

13 December 2023

• The Trade & Development Chart shows the extent to which the EU’s deforestation regulation will apply to a country’s exports as a share of total exports or GDP. The regulation will apply to cocoa, coffee, lumber, palm oil, rubber, and cattle, and it takes effect on Dec. 30, 2024. EU importers will have to certify that these commodities didn’t originate on land that was deforested or degraded after Dec. 31, 2020.

18 December 2023

• FCC & EUDR Paper

22 December 2023

• Stakeholder Members of Platform on Deforestation.pdf
• Frequent Asked Questions.

10 January 2024

• EUDR FAQ Link (Updated)

29 January 2024

•  Competent Authorities Deforestation Regulation.pdf

02 October 2024

• Commission strengthens support for EU Deforestation Regulation implementation and proposes extra 12 months of phasing-in time, responding to calls by global partners

• Latest FAQ – 3 October 2024

14 November 2024

The European Parliament has approved a one-year postponement for EUDR compliance, extending the deadline for large companies to December 30, 2025. Micro- and small enterprises, however, now have until June 30, 2026, to align with the regulation’s requirements. These extensions acknowledge the significant adjustments required across supply chains to guarantee regulatory compliance, particularly for forest-risk commodities like cocoa.

Additionally, Parliament has put forth the implementation of a new country benchmarking system. In addition to the existing “low,” “standard,” and “high” risk categories, a “no risk” category has been proposed for countries with stable or expanding forest areas, which will face fewer compliance requirements. The Commission aims to finalize this country benchmarking system by June 30, 2025.

• Update on EU Deforestation Law (EUDR) Compliance Timeline

• Latest FAQ – 3 October 2024

21 November 2024

CIRCULAR 24/149

• ICE Futures London Cocoa Futures Contract – Rule Changes in Response to the European Parliament Vote to Amend the European Deforestation Legislation
  • LINK to Circular 24/149

• CONTRACT RULES: ICE FUTURES LONDON COCOA FUTURES CONTRACT
• • LINK to View Contract Rules EEEE