Under the former timeline, the EU Deforestation Regulation (“EUDR”) was set to apply from 30 December 2025 for large enterprises and from 30 June 2026 for micro and small enterprises, covering certain commodities and products linked to deforestation and forest degradation.
Following discussions at EU level, a targeted revision has now been adopted (Regulation (EU) 2025/2650), postponing the application dates and introducing simplifications to reduce administrative burdens.
Revised Timeline:
The new compliance deadline is 30 December 2026 for large enterprises and 30 June 2027 for micro and small enterprises.
Key Changes and Simplifications:
Due Diligence Statements (DDS): Only the operator first placing a product on the EU market is required to submit a DDS, while downstream operators and traders may rely on it.
Simplified Declarations for Small Operators: Micro and small operators will only need to submit a one-off simplified declaration per year, instead of per shipment.
Geolocation Requirements: Micro and small operators may provide postal address information instead of precise geolocation coordinates, if clearly corresponding to the plot or establishment.
Exclusion of Certain Printed Products: Certain printed products (e.g., printed books, newspapers) have been excluded from the scope of the Regulation.
Commission Review: By 30 April 2026, the European Commission is required to conduct a simplification review of the Regulation, accompanied, where appropriate, by a legislative proposal.
Implication for Businesses:
The amendments provide businesses with additional time to prepare for compliance and allow the EU to improve IT and reporting systems, while maintaining the EUDR’s objective of addressing deforestation.
Nevertheless, companies should continue preparing for compliance, including mapping supply chains and implementing due diligence processes.
Stay tuned for timely insights and expert updates from KG Law Firm on every development in this matter.