EUDR Regulation and Deforestation: deadline extensions, new rules

Last updated: 28.11.2025

On 26 November 2025, the European Parliament did something that many companies relying on forest resources had been waiting months for - it voted for a one-year delay in the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This is not a retreat from regulation, but a clear signal that the original timetable and scope of obligations were too burdensome for business and administration. The legislator has granted itself and businesses an additional year to streamline processes, clarify requirements, and practically test how to reconcile forest protection with the realities of supply chains.

Table of contents:

1. New deadlines and recruitment review

2. Change of responsibility in the supply chain

3. "One-Time" declaration and approach to geolocation

4. What does not change and who is excluded from the EUDR?

5. What next?

You can read this article in 3 minutes.

New deadlines and recruitment review

The most tangible change is the new dates for the regulations to come into force. Large and medium-sized companies have until 30 December 2026, and micro and small enterprises - until 30 June 2027. By 30 April 2026, the European Commission is to prepare a review of the EUDR regulation and propose simplifications to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. Therefore, one can expect not only a postponement in time but also clarification and streamlining of some obligations.

Change of responsibility in the supply chain

The obligation to collect and pass on reference numbers from the due diligence system is assigned solely to the first lower-tier operator - the one who first introduces the relevant product to the EU or exports it from the Union. Other participants in the chain will no longer generate further declarations but must still collect and store data about suppliers and recipients for five years. This is a significant simplification, especially for intermediary companies that have been concerned about being burdened with persistent formal requirements.

“One-Time” declarations and the approach to geolocation

The second important change is the introduction of the so-called “One-Time Declaration”. The operator will be able to submit a simplified statement once, instead of issuing it with each shipment, as long as the data remains current. Updating becomes a requirement for significant changes, not for every movement of goods. For logistics, warehouses, and compliance departments, this means real time savings and less risk of errors. The approach to geolocation is also significant. For small and micro primary entities, there is an opportunity to provide the postal address of the plot or headquarters instead of precise coordinates. This is a response to concerns about data availability, quality, and acquisition costs.

What does not change and who is excluded from the EUDR?

It is worth noting what the European Parliament did not accept. The proposal to introduce a fourth category of countries - so-called zero-risk countries, which would not be subject to the due diligence process, was rejected. The three-tier division into low, standard, and high-risk countries is maintained, and products from each of these segments remain subject to their assigned scope of obligations. The good news for industries based on printed materials such as notebooks, catalogues, advertising leaflets, books, newspapers, and other printed products is that they are being removed from Annex I of the EUDR. This means that they will not be treated as relevant products under the regulation. Importantly, packaging still remains under the scope of the EUDR, so companies using packaging materials made from forest resources must still prepare for due diligence requirements.

If you want to efficiently prepare your company for EUDR requirements - see: How Go2Market supports sellers on Amazon

What next?

The next step now rests with the ENVI Committee of the European Parliament, which, together with the European Commission and the Council of the EU, will prepare a compromise text. After the voting in Parliament and publication in the Official Journal of the EU, we will know the final amended version of Regulation 2023/1115. This is a signal for companies to use the extra time to review their supply chains, organize data, and prepare processes for when the new regulations actually come into force.

FAQ – Delay in EUDR deforestation regulations

When do the EUDR regulations come into force after the delay vote?

The European Parliament voted on 26 November 2025 for a one-year delay in the implementation of the EUDR deforestation regulations. The new deadlines are 30 December 2026 for large and medium-sized companies and 30 June 2027 for micro and small enterprises.

What changes in the responsibility of operators in the supply chain?

The obligation to collect and pass on reference numbers from the due diligence system applies only to the first operator who introduces the product into the EU or exports it from the Union. Other chain participants do not generate further declarations but must collect and store data about suppliers and recipients for five years.

What is the "One-Time" declaration in the context of EUDR?

“One-Time Declaration” is a simplified statement that the operator can submit once instead of issuing it with each shipment, as long as the data remains current. An update is required only for significant changes, not for every movement of goods.

How does geolocation work for small and micro entities after EUDR changes?

For small and micro primary entities, the possibility of providing the postal address of the plot or headquarters instead of precise geographic coordinates has been introduced. This is a response to concerns about data availability, quality, and acquisition costs.

Was a zero-risk country category introduced in the EUDR?

No, the European Parliament rejected the proposal to introduce a fourth category of so-called zero-risk countries, which would not be subject to the due diligence process. The three-tier division into low, standard, and high-risk countries has been maintained.

Which products were excluded from the EUDR scope?

Printed products such as notebooks, catalogues, advertising leaflets, books, newspapers, and other printed materials have been removed from Annex I of the EUDR. This means that they will not be treated as relevant products under the regulation.

Are packaging still covered by EUDR regulations?

Yes, packaging still remains under the scope of the EUDR. Companies using packaging materials made from forest resources must still prepare for due diligence requirements.

When is the European Commission to prepare the review of the EUDR regulation?

By 30 April 2026, the European Commission is to prepare a review of the EUDR regulation and propose simplifications to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. One can expect not only a postponement but also clarifications and streamlining of some obligations.

What are the next legislative steps related to the EUDR?

The next step is up to the ENVI Committee of the European Parliament, which, together with the European Commission and the Council of the EU, will prepare a compromise text. After the voting in Parliament and publication in the Official Journal of the EU, we will know the final amended version of Regulation 2023/1115.

Sources:

1. https://www.prawo.pl/biznes/wylesianie-i-polityka-rozporzadzenie-eudr-znow-opoznione,535179.html