EUDR rollout pushed to 2026
EUDR Regulations – Implementation has been delayed potentially to December 2026
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is an EU law that took effect in June 2023 and was to be fully implemented by December 30, 2025. but is now delayed. Its goal is to stop the EU from contributing to deforestation and forest degradation globally by requiring companies to prove that products sold in the EU market or exported from it are deforestation-free. The regulation covers seven commodities—cattle, coffee, cocoa, palm oil, rubber, soy, and wood—as well as their derivatives like beef, chocolate, and furniture
What the EUDR requires
- Due diligence: Companies must conduct due diligence to ensure products are deforestation-free, meaning they are not produced on land that has been deforested or degraded after December 31, 2020.
- Due diligence statement: Companies must submit a due diligence statement to prove compliance. This includes geolocation data of the production area and information about the product’s characteristics.
- Traceability: Products must be traceable back to the plot of land where they were produced.
- Compliance: Companies must prove their products are deforestation-free to gain access to the EU market or to export from the EU.
How it impacts companies and products
- Scope: The regulation affects any natural or legal person who places relevant products on the market or exports them from the EU.
- Affected products: The seven main commodities are cattle, coffee, cocoa, oil palm, rubber, soy, and wood. This includes products made from them, such as beef, chocolate, furniture, and leather.
- Implementation: Most obligations will apply from December 30, 2025, with delayed and simplified rules for micro- and small businesses until June 30, 2026.
Other important details
- Risk-based approach: The EU has implemented a benchmarking system to classify countries by deforestation risk, which helps companies determine the level of due diligence required.
- Penalties: EU Member States will set penalties for non-compliance. Impact: The EUDR will likely have cost impacts for operators, traders, and consumers.