On 21 October, the European Commission confirmed its intention to maintain the full enforcement date of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), set for 30 December 2025. At the same time, the Commission announced a series of operational simplifications designed to facilitate the implementation of the regulation, which aims to prevent products linked to deforestation or forest degradation from being placed on the EU market.
The EUDR requires all companies placing products such as timber and wood-derived materials, coffee, cocoa, soy, palm oil, rubber and cattle on the EU market to prove that these goods do not originate from land that has been deforested or degraded after 31 December 2020. Operators must gather precise information on the origin of their products, assess the risk of deforestation, and submit a due diligence statement through the EU’s information system before placing the products on the market.
The new measures announced by the Commission include a six-month extension for micro and small enterprises, which will have to comply with EUDR obligations starting from 30 December 2026. For medium and large companies, the original deadline of 30 December 2025 remains unchanged, with a six-month transitional period during which penalties will not be applied.
The proposed adjustments also include the simplification of due diligence obligations for operators and traders further down the supply chain, and the requirement that due diligence declarations be submitted only at the point of entry of products into the EU market. Small operators sourcing from countries classified as low risk will be allowed to file a single, simplified declaration.
At the same time, the Commission intends to strengthen the EU information system for product traceability and compliance verification, ensuring more efficient controls and greater transparency across supply chains. The goal is to provide businesses with a clearer path to compliance while maintaining the full effectiveness of the regulation in the fight against deforestation.
