EUDR: Simplification and Postponement Adopted

Following the vote in the European Parliament on 17 December and the approval by the Council, it is now clear: the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will be selectively simplified and postponed by one additional year.

New Dates of Application

• 30 December 2026: medium-sized and large companies
• 30 June 2027: micro and small enterprises
• 30 December 2026: micro and small enterprises that already fall under the EUTR

Simplified Scope of Application

• HS Chapter 49 excluded
• Books, newspapers, and other printed products are no longer covered

Relief for Downstream Market Operators

• Due diligence obligations lie primarily with the first party placing products on the EU market (“operator”)
• Downstream operators must, where their supplier is the operator, collect DDS reference numbers and have processes in place for non-negligible risks

Facilitations for Micro and Small Primary Producers

• Simplified declarations for micro and small enterprises from low-risk countries that produce the relevant products themselves

Next Steps

• The regulation will in the next days be published in the Official Journal of the EU and will enter into force three days later.
• By April 2026, the European Commission will present a further simplification report, focusing on reducing administrative burden, particularly for micro and small enterprises.

What does this mean in practice?

The additional time reduces short-term pressure but does not change the underlying complexity for operators. Full due diligence obligations remain in place for market operators. Downstream operators are granted relief but must still establish appropriate systems for EUDR compliance.