Written by Eliza Druta
Dear Reader,
Welcome to Publyon’s monthly sustainability newsletter. As Brussels gears up for a pivotal month, the European Commission is planting seeds of change across the regulatory landscape. From simplifying CAP rules to cooling off heated timelines on sustainability reporting, the message is clear: simplification is the new strategy. In this edition, we dig into the upcoming CAP overhaul, fresh guidance on the EU Deforestation Regulation, and the long-anticipated delays to CSRD and CSDDD. Plus, PFAS restrictions are heating up across Europe — and France is going full steam ahead.
Ready to stay ahead of the curve? Let’s dive in.
Europe’s bold plan for sustainable growth, the “Clean Industrial Deal”, represents a major shift for EU businesses, especially in energy-intensive sectors. Don’t miss your chance to engage with the Commission to shape this deal and influence the policy direction for the next five years.
The spotlight
Sowing seeds of simplification in EU farm policy
The European Commission is expected to unveil a major simplification package of the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on 14 May. This marks another step in the Commission’s broader effort to further simplify and streamline implementation of legislation with green elements.
The package aims to reduce administrative burdens for farmers and national authorities. Expected changes may include exempting organic farmers from certain green rules, boosting lump sum payments for small farms, and cutting back on inspections. The move is framed as necessary relief for struggling farmers, who have been the actors of widespread protests in 2024 due to rising food prices and bureaucratic burdens imposed by EU legislation. While only leaks and anticipations are circulating in Brussels, everyone understands the importance of the publication: the outcome of the proposal may shape not only the final years of the current CAP but also set the tone for the next reform cycle post-2027.
Impact analysis for your business
Our free updates keep you informed, but is that enough? With our tailored sustainability updates you’ll receive:
- Custom insights on how upcoming policy changes might impact your business;
- Strategic advice from your dedicated policy consultant on how to turn challenges into opportunities;
- Early warnings about key legislative developments.
Policy updates
Commission issues new guidance to ease compliance with EU Deforestation Regulation
The European Commission has published updated guidance and proposed a Delegated Act to support smoother implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the bloc’s flagship policy to tackle global deforestation and forest degradation linked to commodity supply chains. The EUDR, which entered into force in June 2023, requires that products placed on or exported from the EU market are deforestation-free and produced in accordance with the laws of their country of origin. It applies to commodities such as soy, beef, cocoa, timber, palm oil, coffee, and rubber, as well as several derived products. On 15 April 2025, the Commission released a revised Guidance Document, FAQs, and a proposal to update Annex I of the Regulation. These updates aim to cut red tape and reduce compliance costs by 30%.
Key simplifications include:
- Reuse of due diligence statements for reimported goods
- Group submissions by authorised representatives
- Annual reporting in place of shipment-by-shipment declarations
- Flexible use of supplier due diligence
The Delegated Act also proposes exempting reusable packaging materials—like pallets and wooden boxes used for transport—from due diligence obligations if clearly linked to another product. An Information System for submitting due diligence statements is now operational. The Commission will also finalise the EUDR country benchmarking system by June 2025, potentially paving the way for a future “no-risk” classification for low-deforestation regions.
EU institutions agree to delay CSRD and CSDDD timelines under new simplification package
The European Parliament has backed the Commission’s proposed “Stop-the-clock” Directive, part of the broader Omnibus Simplification Package, delaying key sustainability compliance deadlines under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
On 26 March 2025, the Council endorsed a two-year delay for “wave 2” CSRD filers and a one-year delay for CSDDD transposition and application. Parliament followed with overwhelming support on 3 April, paving the way for final adoption before summer. Once published in the Official Journal, Member States will need to transpose the Directive by 31 December 2025.
In practice:
- In countries that have already transposed CSRD, obligations remain until national law is updated.
- In others, transposition may include the updated timeline directly.
The Commission has also tasked EFRAG with simplifying the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). A revised ESRS set is expected by October 2025, to be applied from the 2027 reporting year, with optional early use from 2026.
Beyond timeline changes, a second Directive—still under negotiation—proposes substantive revisions:
- Higher thresholds to fall under CSRD
- Relaxed due diligence and stakeholder obligations under CSDDD
- Optional EU Taxonomy reporting for smaller groups
EU and Member States ramp up regulatory pressure on PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are facing growing regulatory pressure across the EU. While a full ban is not (yet) on the table, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is advancing a landmark proposal for a universal restriction, with targeted exemptions and a phased timeline.
From 3–7 March 2025, ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee reviewed the proposal, which targets PFAS use in sectors such as energy, transport, and fluorinated gases. A final scientific opinion from ECHA is expected by late 2025 or early 2026, with EU-wide restrictions likely to follow from 2026–2027.
Meanwhile, France has adopted national PFAS legislation, the first of its kind. From 1 January 2026, PFAS will be banned from clothing, cosmetics, footwear, and ski wax, with the ban extended to all textiles by 2030 (unless deemed essential). A polluter-pays clause will charge €100 per 100g of PFAS released. Cookware was excluded from the final bill.
Other developments include:
- New air monitoring studies in France confirm the presence of PFAS in urban air.
- 29 NGOs have called for an EU ban on PFAS pesticide fluopyram.
- EU restrictions on specific PFAS subgroups like PFHxA are already in force.
Blog
Critical Raw Materials Act: boosting the twin green and digital transition
Europe lacks raw materials but consumes heavily, relying on imports from countries that often clash with its values—leaving it exposed, as recent crises have shown. To safeguard its economic independence and supply stability, the EU introduced the Critical Raw Materials Act.
READ ARTICLE
Events
Find a detailed overview of Brussels’ main sustainability related events that you absolutely should join this month:
- 13 May, PSLifestyle, From Data to Action: Empowering Policies for Sustainable Choices, Brussels
- 13-15 May, European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), EU LIFE Programme Info Days, online
- 14 May, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Sustainability Education: A Key Driver for EU Business Competitiveness, online
- 19 May, Euractiv, Making the world water-resilient – What are the right steps?, Brussels
- 21 May, European Commission, ABAA 2021: reduce agricultural ammonia emissions and improve air quality, online
- 21 May, Renew Europe, Unlocking the Potential of the European Oceans Pact, Brussels
- 26-27 May, Réseau Vrac & Réemploi, REuse Economy Expo, Paris
- 3-5 June, European Commission, EU Green Week 2025, Brussels
