The WTO Compatibility of the EU Deforestation Regulation

After a brief overview of the general structure of the EUDR and of its integration in the EU normative ecosystem on sustainability, the paper will first analyze the Regulation in the light of the obligations of the EU and of its member States within the multilateral trading system. It will then be argued that the main challenges of the measure stem from the risk of uneven and discriminatory implementation, and that effective engagement by the Union and its Member States with the countries of origin of the relevant products can ensure a WTO-compliant application. The final section will propose a possible method to bring the discussion of trade-related climate, environmental, and social sustainability measures (TrCSMs) under the aegis of the WTO, drawing on the praxis of the Organization's Committees to address concerns and secure multilateral consent for differentiated national/regional approaches.