Press release | FEP welcomes the political agreement that excludes books from the scope of the EU Deforestation Regulation

The Council of the EU and the European Parliament recognised the need to prevent unjustified disruption for the book sector

Brussels, 5 December 2025

FEP welcomes the Council’s and the European Parliament’s representatives for reaching yesterday a provisional political agreement on a targeted revision of the EU regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR), which excludes books and other printed products from the scope of the Regulation. The agreement reflects the limited deforestation risk associated with these items and the disproportionateness of the burden they would have had to face. FEP President Sonia Draga declared, “The decision by the co-legislators to exclude books and other printed products from the scope of the EUDR is a highly positive outcome for the European publishing sector. It matches the decision taken by the Parliament last week, with 449 votes in favour, to exclude books from the EUDR. This agreement reflects a clear understanding by the institutions of the specific and complex nature of print production and distribution chains. By taking this decision, the co-legislators also saved millions of books from destruction, contributing to safeguarding the right of European citizens to reliable and accessible information. This result would not have been reached without the joint efforts of FEP and its members, together with colleague associations from the book, newspapers and magazines sectors and shows that united we can make our arguments heard and make reason prevail. We now call on the EU Institutions to confirm the provisional agreement at the earliest opportunity”.

FEP is an independent, non-commercial umbrella association of book publishers’ associations in Europe. FEP represents 31 national associations of publishers of books, learned journals and educational materials, in all formats, in Europe. FEP is the voice of the great majority of publishers in Europe.

Contacts
Enrico Turrin – FEP Deputy Director
eturrin@fep-fee.eu

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