Updated: 27th November 2025
As global pressure to address climate change and deforestation intensifies, the European Union is rolling out one of the most significant sustainability regulations to date: the EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR).
Originally intended to apply at the end of 2024, the EUDR was already granted a one-year postponement. In a further update, on 26 November, Members of the European Parliament approved an additional one-year delay. This moves the main compliance deadlines to 30 December 2026 for large operators and traders, and 30 June 2027 for micro and small companies. The extension is intended to give businesses and authorities more time to prepare, test the EU-wide due-diligence IT system, and refine geolocation-based traceability processes.
The EUDR will ultimately transform supply chains for key agricultural and forest-based commodities entering or leaving the EU. Companies placing, selling, or exporting in-scope products must prove that they are deforestation-free, legally produced, and fully traceable back to their source.
This updated guide outlines the EUDR’s scope, the new timelines, the due-diligence requirements, and what your business should be doing now.
The EU Deforestation-Free Products Regulation aims to ensure that certain high-risk commodities placed on the EU market do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation, anywhere in the world.
The regulation applies to seven major commodities and their derived products:
This includes hundreds of downstream products such as furniture, chocolate, leather, paper packaging, tyres, plywood, palm-oil derivatives, and more.
The EUDR applies to:
Large and medium-sized operators face the most extensive requirements, while SMEs and micro-enterprises benefit from simplified procedures — though they cannot opt out entirely.
Due to operational challenges and readiness concerns, the EU institutions formally approved a one-year delay.
Businesses should therefore avoid stocking products that cannot be traced or verified.
The EUDR is built around a strict three-step due diligence system, mandatory for operators placing products on the market.
Businesses must gather detailed evidence including:
A due diligence statement (DDS) must be submitted via the EU Information System before placing or exporting products.
If a business cannot obtain the required data, the product cannot be placed on the EU market.
Operators must assess whether there is any risk that the product:
They must document:
Certification schemes can help — but cannot replace the risk assessment.
If any risk is identified, businesses must take steps such as:
Low-risk countries will have an accelerated process, while high-risk countries face stricter obligations.
One of the biggest challenges for businesses is achieving full traceability.
Every batch must be traceable — no mixing with unknown origin materials.
This applies to:
If geolocation cannot be confirmed, the product cannot be marketed or exported from the EU.
The European Commission is developing a risk classification system for countries or regions:
This will determine:
Countries will be assessed on factors such as deforestation rates, enforcement, agricultural expansion, and forest degradation.
Even with the delayed deadlines, preparation is essential.
Identify every supplier, plot, and intermediary.
This is the single most challenging requirement for many companies.
Ensure you can store documentation for at least five years.
Include EUDR-specific obligations and data requirements.
They assist, but cannot replace due diligence.
Everyone handling these commodities must understand EUDR requirements.
The EU Deforestation-Free Products Regulation represents a major shift toward sustainable global supply chains. With new enforcement dates set for 2025 and 2026, businesses now have additional time — but the obligations remain stringent.
By implementing strong due diligence systems, ensuring full traceability, and preparing documentation early, companies can not only achieve compliance but also demonstrate leadership in ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility.
The EUDR is not just a regulatory requirement — it’s an opportunity to future-proof your supply chain and support global efforts to protect the world’s forests.
