What is the EUDR Regulation?
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), officially known as Regulation EU 2023/1115, was introduced in 2023 to address global deforestation and forest degradation. It targets key goods imported into the EU, ensuring that products like palm oil, timber, soy, cocoa, coffee, and beef sold in the EU market are not linked to deforestation. This regulation aims to tackle one of the main drivers of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Companies are required to conduct due diligence, tracing the origins of these products to ensure they are not sourced from land deforested after December 31st, 2020. Large businesses must comply by December 30th, 2025, while small and micro businesses have until June 30th, 2026 to adapt.
EUDR Regulation: Helpful Links
Below, we share some links and documents that can assist you in properly understanding the Regulation:
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2025/1093
FAQ
FAQ - 2024 Oct 2Guidance on EU Deforestation Regulation
The Deforestation Due Diligence Registry
EUDR - Myths vs. Reality - Debunking myths around the EU Deforestation Regulation
Latest Updates
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December 4th, 2025 – Council and European Parliament reach an agreement on the targeted revision of the EUDR
A targeted revision of the EUDR has reached a provisional political agreement between the Council and the European Parliament, with the aim of simplifying implementation and postponing the regulation’s entry into application. The final vote in Parliament is scheduled for the the 16th of December during the Plenary at 12:30.
Here are the key points:
- The EUDR will apply from the 30th of December 2026 for large and medium-sized companies and for traders, and from the 30th of June 2027 for micro and small enterprises.
- The due diligence obligation applies exclusively to the operator placing the product on the EU market for the first time.
- Only the first downstream operator must collect and retain the reference number of the original due diligence statement.
- Micro and small primary operators will submit a one-time simplified declaration for traceability purposes.
- Certain printed products (books, newspapers, images) have been removed from the scope of the regulation.
- Competent authorities must notify the Commission of any significant disruptions to IT systems.
- The Commission will carry out a simplification review and present a report by the 30th of April 2026.
November 26th, 2025 - The European Parliament approves amendments to the EU Regulation on deforestation
The European Parliament has approved amendments to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), introducing a one-year postponement and a set of targeted measures designed to make the compliance process more manageable for thousands of European companies.
Here are the key points:
- EUDR provisions will apply from December 30th 2026 for medium and large operators and from June 30th 2027 for micro and small operators.
- The obligation and responsibility to submit the required due diligence statement will rest exclusively with operators who first place the product on the market.
- Downstream operators and traders will no longer need to submit separate due diligence statements; only the first downstream operators will need to keep and pass on the reference number of the initial declaration.
- Micro and small primary operators will submit a single simplified one-off declaration.
Negotiations between the Council and Parliament are expected to conclude in the coming weeks, with the goal of reaching an agreement before the current regulation becomes fully applicable on December 30th 2025.
November 19th, 2025 - The Council has adopted its negotiating mandate on a targeted revision of the EUDR.
The aim is to simplify the implementation of the current rules and postpone their application to allow operators, traders, and authorities to prepare adequately.
Here are the key points:
- EUDR provisions will apply from 30 December 2026 for medium and large operators and from 30 June 2027 for micro and small operators.
- The obligation and responsibility to submit the required due diligence statement will rest exclusively with operators who first place the product on the market.
- Downstream operators and traders will no longer need to submit separate due diligence statements; only the first downstream operators will need to keep and pass on the reference number of the initial declaration.
- Micro and small primary operators will submit a single simplified one-off declaration.
Negotiations between the Council and Parliament are expected to conclude in the coming weeks, with the goal of reaching an agreement before the current regulation becomes fully applicable on 30 December 2025.
October 21st, 2025 - The European Commission has published proposal COM(2025)652.
The document proposes significant amendments to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), clarifying the roles along the supply chain, introducing the new category of downstream operators, and exempting SMEs from the obligation to submit full due diligence statements.
August 12th, 2025 – Through Communication C/2025/4524, the European Commission has published an updated guidance document on the implementation of the Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR).
On 12 August, Communication C/2025/4524 of the European Commission was published in the Official Journal, containing the guidelines for the implementation of the EUDR.
While not legally binding, the document provides practical clarifications on several key issues, including the different obligations for various categories of operators, due diligence requirements, the submission of the Due Diligence Statement (DDS), the role of certifications, and the timelines for the Regulation’s entry into force.
Compared to the version released in April, there are no substantive changes. The updates are mainly editorial, concerning formatting, numbering, references, and the structure of the index.
May 22nd, 2025 – The Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1093, listing countries at low and high risk, has been published in the Official Journal
The regulation lays down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards a list of countries that present a low or high risk of producing relevant commodities for which the relevant products do not comply with Article 3, point (a).
All countries not included in these lists are automatically classified as standard risk.
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2025/1093
April 15th, 2025 – Commission takes action to simplify the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation
On April 15th the Commission has published new guidance documents and FAQs in view of the Regulation's entry into application at the end of this year for Member States, operators and traders. With these clarifications and simplifications, the Commission is also replying to feedback from its international partners. With theese simplifications, the Commission is delivering on its commitment to the European Parliament and the Council, while guaranteeing regulatory certainty within the boundaries of the Regulation.
Key points:
- Due diligence can be carried out annually instead of for each shipment
- Company groups can appoint authorised representatives to act on their behalf
- Due diligence statements can be reused for goods that are re-imported
- Simplified requirements for companies further downstream in the supply chain
The newly introduced simplifications will be further complemented by a Delegated Act offering additional clarity on the scope of the EUDR, addressing stakeholder requests for guidance on specific product categories and helping to avoid unnecessary administrative costs for businesses and authorities.
The European Commission has strengthened dialogue with third countries, businesses, and global partners to support the implementation of the EUDR, promoting dedicated meetings and online training. In 2024, over 300 meetings and more than 50 webinars were organised, with 15,500 participants trained in the use of the Information System. Additionally, the EU has increased support to producing countries through the Team Europe Initiative, investing €86 million to promote sustainable, legal, and deforestation-free value chains.
December 18th, 2024 – EU deforestation regulation: Council formally adopts its one-year postponement
On December 18, the Council of the European Union formally adopted the regulation on the postponement of application of the EU deforestation law by one year. This decision aims to ensure legal certainty, predictability, and to provide sufficient time for the smooth and effective implementation of the new rules.
The formal adoption by the Council today marks the final step in the ordinary legislative procedure. The regulation will now be signed and published in the Official Journal of the EU, so that it can enter into force before the end of the year.
December 3, 2024 – EU deforestation regulation: Council and Parliament agree on its targeted amendment
The Council reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on a proposed targeted amendment of the EU deforestation regulation, postponing its date of application by 12 months. The deforestation regulation has already been in force since June 29th, 2023 and its provisions are to be applied from December 30th,2024. The two co-legislators agreed to the Commission’s proposal to postpone the application date of the regulation by one year (December 30,2025). According to the provisional agreement, the targeted amendment will not affect the substance of the existing rules, which aims to minimise the EU’s contribution to deforestation and forest degradation worldwide, by only allowing deforestation-free products to be placed on the EU market or exported from the EU.
The provisional agreement will now have to be endorsed by the Council and Parliament. It will then be formally adopted by both institutions and will be published in the Official Journal of the EU, so that it can enter into force before the application date of the current regulation (December 30th, 2024).
Press release
November 20th, 2024 – EU deforestation regulation: Council reconfirms its agreement to extend application timeline
The Council firmly reiterated its support to the proposed targeted amendment of the EU deforestation regulation, postponing its date of application by 12 months. This approach is seen as the most effective way to ensure legal certainty for all stakeholders. Next, the Council will communicate its position to the European Parliament to initiate negotiations. The goal is to achieve formal adoption of the regulation by both co-legislators and ensure its publication in the Official Journal of the EU, allowing it to enter into force by the end of the year.
Press release
November 14th, 2024 – The European Parliament Plenary Approves a One-Year Delay for the EUDR Regulation’s Application Date
One month after the EU Council's approval, the European Parliament has also confirmed a one-year delay for the application of the EUDR regulation, with 371 votes in favor, 240 against, and 30 abstentions. Under the revised timeline, large operators and traders will need to comply by December 30th, 2025, while micro and small enterprises have until June 30, 2026. Among the approved amendments is the introduction of a “no-risk” category for countries with minimal or no deforestation risk, which will face less stringent requirements compared to the existing “low,” “standard,” and “high” risk categories. Amendments proposing a two-year delay and changes to trader obligations were withdrawn before the vote. The Parliament has also launched interinstitutional negotiations with the Council, which adopted the original text as proposed by the Commission. Once an agreement is reached, the final text will need approval from both institutions and will take effect three days after being published in the EU Official Journal.
Press release
October 16th, 2024 – EUDR Regulation: Council Approves Extension of Implementation Deadline
The EU Council has agreed to postpone the application of the deforestation regulation by 12 months, giving third countries, member states, operators, and traders more time to prepare. If approved by the Parliament, the new deadlines will be: December 30th, 2025, for large operators and traders, and June 30, 2026, for micro and small enterprises.
Press release
October 14th, 2024 – European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety meeting
Today, October 14th, the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety has met to discuss the delay in the enforcement of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Despite some criticism about the potential weakening of the regulation, the majority of the committee, after facing significant opposition, expressed overall support for the extension, postponing enforcement to December 2025 for large companies and June 2026 for SMEs. The European Commission emphasized that the delay aims to ease compliance without compromising environmental goals. However, no updates are available yet on when the European Parliament and Council will vote.
Watch the video
October 2nd, 2024 – A Possible 12-Month Extension?
The European Commission has proposed a 12-month delay in enforcing the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) in response to concerns raised by global partners and some European stakeholders. This would mean that large companies would need to comply by December 30th, 2025, while small and micro businesses would have until June 30, 2026. To support this transition, the Commission has also issued new guidelines to ease the implementation of the regulation and introduced a framework for international cooperation. Additionally, the IT system for due diligence declarations, designed to ensure a smooth shift to zero-deforestation supply chains, will be operational by December 2024.
How was the extension granted?
The decision to extend the implementation timeline stemmed from feedback received from global partners during events like the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where concerns were raised about the state of preparedness for compliance with the new regulations. Within Europe, the situation is also uneven. While many stakeholders are ready for implementation, others have highlighted the need for more time. The European Commission acknowledged that the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is an innovative and complex initiative, involving a wide range of international actors, which justified the extension to ensure a smooth transition.
Release of Additional Guidance Documents
In addition to the extension, the European Commission has published new guidance documents to clarify key aspects of the EUDR and facilitate compliance. These include details on the information system, updates on penalties, and explanations of critical terms such as "forest degradation" and "placing on the market." The aim is to ensure a uniform interpretation of the regulation, helping both companies and authorities apply the new rules effectively.
Country Classification Principles Based on Deforestation Risk
Another significant update is the introduction of a methodology for classifying countries by their risk of contributing to deforestation. The European Commission has outlined a system that categorizes countries into three risk levels: low, standard, and high. This classification will allow greater focus on high-risk countries, while most will likely fall into the low-risk category, simplifying due diligence procedures for businesses operating in those regions.
Information System Fully Operational by December 2024
The IT system designed to handle companies' due diligence declarations is nearing completion and will be fully operational by December 2024. Developed with input from over 250 private stakeholders, this system will enable businesses to start submitting their declarations before the regulation officially takes effect, ensuring a smoother transition.
International Cooperation and Strategic Framework for a Fair Transition
The European Commission has emphasized the crucial role of international cooperation in the successful implementation of the EUDR. A strategic framework has been introduced to support a fair transition towards zero-deforestation agricultural supply chains. This framework is grounded in a human rights-based approach and aims to foster ongoing dialogue with international partners, ensuring that no global actor is left behind during the transition.
Awaiting Approval
The Commission is now calling on the European Parliament and the Council to approve the extension by the end of the year. This would ensure that the conditions are in place for the regulation's proper enforcement starting in 2025.
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