The European Parliament has formally adopted targeted amendments to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), introducing a one-year postponement and simplified compliance measures to support businesses and authorities ahead of full implementation.
The changes were approved during plenary session with 405 votes in favour, 242 against, and 8 abstentions, following an informal agreement reached with the Council of the EU on 4 December 2025.
Revised Implementation Timeline
To allow smoother implementation and improved technical readiness, the application of the EUDR will now begin later than originally planned:
- Large operators and traders: 30 December 2026
- Small operators: 30 June 2027
The delay is intended to give companies more time to prepare and to strengthen the EU’s electronic due diligence system used for submitting compliance declarations.
Simplification Measures
a. Simplified Due Diligence for Small Operators
Micro and small primary operators will now be required to submit only a one-off simplified due diligence declaration, instead of repeated full submissions. This reduces the administrative burden while maintaining traceability requirements.
b. Due Diligence Limited to First Market Entry
Only the operator placing a product on the EU market for the first time must submit a due diligence statement. Subsequent traders are required only to retain and share the reference number, not submit new declarations
c. Printed Products Removed from Scope
Printed materials such as books, newspapers, and similar paper products have been excluded from the regulation’s scope.
d. Improved Technical Oversight
Competent authorities must report significant technical errors or system disruptions. The European Commission is also required to publish an impact and administrative burden assessment by 30 April 2026, with particular focus on small and micro enterprises.
Parliament’s Position
According to Parliament’s rapporteur, Christine Schneider (EPP, Germany), the core objective of the regulation remains unchanged. The amendments aim to protect forests effectively while avoiding unnecessary obligations in low-risk cases and ensuring the law is practical to implement.
Why do the changes matter?
Adopted in April 2023, the EUDR seeks to ensure that key commodities placed on the EU market — including cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy, wood, rubber, and cattle products — are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation.
Deforestation remains a major global challenge. Between 1990 and 2020, an estimated 420 million hectares of forest were lost worldwide, with EU consumption contributing significantly through global supply chains.
Further Steps
Before the amendments take effect:
- The Council of the EU must formally endorse the agreed text
- The regulation must be published in the Official Journal of the EU, expected before the end of 2025
Once published, the revised timelines and simplification measures will become legally applicable.
Impact on Stakeholders
i. Businesses
- Additional time to prepare for compliance
- Reduced administrative burden, especially for small operators
- Clearer allocation of due diligence responsibilities
ii. Environmental Stakeholders
- While some groups have raised concerns about delayed enforcement, the EU has reaffirmed that the core deforestation prevention objectives remain intact.
Policy Context
The amendments highlight the EU’s effort to balance environmental ambition with operational feasibility, particularly considering digital infrastructure readiness and the complexity of global supply chains.
Source : EU Eases Deforestation Law
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