On 4 December 2025, the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement to postpone the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and introduce targeted simplifications to ease compliance for businesses and authorities. This delay allows companies more time to prepare while upholding the regulation’s main goal: ensuring products entering or leaving the EU are deforestation-free and legally produced.
A clearer path forward after months of uncertainty
Due to concerns about readiness and system capacity from member states, companies, and supply chain partners, lawmakers revised the timeline. Rather than a "grace period," they chose a full postponement to offer clarity and ease operational pressure. This decision aims to simplify the process and provide operators with a more stable framework..
New enforcement dates
The updated timeline is:
- 30 December 2026 – EUDR applies to all operators
- 30 June 2027 – additional six months for micro and small operators
This extension provides companies with more time to adapt due diligence procedures, build internal workflows, and coordinate with suppliers ahead of mandatory compliance.
Simplified due diligence responsibilities
A key procedural change now makes the first operator placing the product on the EU market solely responsible for submitting the due diligence statement.
Downstream operators no longer need to repeatedly forward reference numbers. Only the first downstream operator must keep the DDS reference number, streamlining documentation and reducing administrative workload throughout the supply chain.
One time simplified declaration for small operators
Micro and small primary operators will submit a single simplified declaration and receive a unique identifier for traceability. This eliminates repeated reporting and helps smaller businesses with limited administrative resources.
Simplified Scope: Books, Newspapers and Printed Pictures Removed from EUDR
To simplify compliance, lawmakers have excluded some low-risk printed products from the regulation. Books, newspapers, and printed pictures are now exempt from EUDR requirements, allowing authorities to focus on products with a greater deforestation impact.
Continued collaboration on implementation
Both institutions highlighted the need for close cooperation with experts, stakeholders, and operators via the Commission’s multi-stakeholder platform. Authorities must also report major IT disruptions to maintain system.
The European Commission must also carry out a simplification review by 30 April 2026, focusing on reducing administrative burdens, especially for smaller operators, and suggest possible legislative changes.
What happens next?
The provisional agreement must now be formally endorsed and adopted by both the Council and the European Parliament. Once approved, it will replace the current EUDR framework and confirm the new compliance timeline.
EUDR delay conclusion
With this agreement, the EUDR is officially delayed, providing much needed time and clarity for operators. However, the regulation’s environmental objectives remain firmly in place. Companies should use the extended preparation window to organise supplier data, establish due diligence processes, and prepare for the upcoming information system requirements.
Read more on the official EU Commission website