Highlights

• EU deforestation law put on ice until 30 December 2026, with added time for micro and small operators.
• New rule makes the first operator fully responsible for the due diligence statement, reducing supply-chain paperwork.
• EUDR revision introduces simpler declarations, removes printed products, and tasks the Commission with a 2026 simplification review.

The EU deforestation law has reached a new stage after the Council and Parliament agreed on a targeted revision of the regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR).

The revision responds to concerns from member states and companies about the pace of implementation and the complexity of the technical system linked to due diligence.

The agreement aims to simplify the path toward the updated rules, with a revised timetable that gives operators and authorities more room to prepare for the next phase of the deforestation-free products regulation.

Read More: EU Puts Anti-Deforestation Law on Ice for Another Year

One of the central adjustments involves a new application date that shifts the start of the EUDR to 30 December 2026, with an extra six-month extension for micro and small operators.

This new timeline responds to readiness issues raised in earlier discussions.

In addition, only the operator who first places a product on the EU market will take on the responsibility of filing the due diligence statement. This change removes the earlier layer of repeated filings later in the supply chain, thereby creating a simpler route for downstream operators who only need to retain the reference number linked to the initial statement.

The revision introduces a one-time simplified declaration for micro and small primary operators, who will receive an identifier that completes their traceability obligations.

Also Read: When Will Corporations Take Deforestation Seriously?

The agreement also adjusts the scope of the EUDR by removing printed products such as books and newspapers, as their connection to deforestation is seen as very limited. These adjustments are part of a broader simplification process that responds to the administrative weight placed on smaller operators and companies entering the new system.

Another element concerns system readiness. The information system behind the EUDR has faced technical challenges, prompting the co-legislators to ask competent authorities to inform the Commission of major IT system disruptions. This approach aims to reduce complications for operators during data submissions.

The agreement also confirms continued dialogue with experts and stakeholders through the Commission’s multi-stakeholder platform on protecting and restoring the world’s forests, strengthening the understanding of how the updated deforestation regulation will function in practice.

The Commission has been asked to conduct a simplification review and issue a report by 30 April 2026, assessing the impact of the EUDR on different types of operators and examining ways to reduce administrative complexity.

See Also: New Compliance Software Helps Firms Meet EU Deforestation Regulation

Once the Council and Parliament complete their formal adoption, this provisional deal will replace the current EUDR and move the EU closer to fully implementing the revised deforestation-free products regulation.

This new structure lays out a more manageable transition for companies, authorities and supply-chain actors preparing for compliance with the EU deforestation law.

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