Updated compliance deadlines and streamlined due diligence requirements under EUDR
The European Parliament has approved targeted simplification measures for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Businesses receive an additional year to comply, and certain operators gain access to simplified due diligence requirements. Negotiations with member states will finalise the law before the end of 2025.
What changed in the EU deforestation law
On 26 November 2025, the European Parliament voted to simplify selected elements of the EU Deforestation Regulation. These changes aim to support a smoother transition for companies placing relevant products on the EU market and ensure that the IT infrastructure behind due diligence statements is fully prepared.
EUDR was originally adopted in 2023 to ensure that EU consumption is not linked to deforestation. The regulation covers cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soya, wood, rubber, charcoal, printed paper and cattle products. The scale of the issue is global. According to the FAO, 420 million hectares of forest were lost between 1990 and 2020. EU consumption accounts for about 10 percent of global deforestation.
Updated EUDR compliance timeline
Parliament supported a one-year extension that applies to all companies subject to EUDR.
New dates:
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Large operators and traders comply from 30 December 2026
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Micro and small enterprises comply from 30 June 2027
This additional time gives businesses space to strengthen their traceability systems, prepare documentation workflows and align with the updated due diligence expectations.
The extension also supports the rollout of a more robust EU IT system that will be used to submit electronic due diligence statements.
Simplified due diligence requirements for selected operators
MEPs introduced adjustments designed to reduce administrative burden while maintaining the regulation’s purpose.
Responsibility was placed on the first placer
The obligation to submit a due diligence statement will fall on the businesses that first place the product on the EU market. Traders and operators who engage with the product at a later stage will no longer need to duplicate reporting.
One-time simplified declaration for micro and small primary operators
Micro and small primary operators will have access to a simplified declaration that only needs to be submitted once. This reduces complexity, especially in the early phases of compliance.
Scheduled simplification review
Parliament requested a formal simplification review by 30 April 2026. This review will evaluate the real administrative impact and identify additional opportunities for refinement.
What happens next
The Parliament adopted the proposal with 402 votes in favour, 250 against and 8 abstentions.
The next phase is negotiation with EU member states. To activate the one-year extension, the final text must be endorsed by both the Parliament and the Council and published in the EU Official Journal before the end of 2025.
What this means for businesses in 2026
Although the timeline has shifted, the expectations remain ambitious. Companies must still demonstrate that products placed on the EU market are deforestation-free and traceable back to compliant plots of land.
Key preparation priorities for 2026:
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clear mapping of supply chains
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verified land origin data
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strong chain of custody documentation
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evidence of compliance for all relevant commodities
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centralised systems that support due diligence statements
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supplier engagement and data readiness
The postponement provides time, and time enables quality. Companies that use this window to prepare structured compliance systems will achieve smoother market access once the regulation takes effect.
How BM Certification supports EUDR readiness
At BM Certification, we operate under an independent trust framework that delivers objective and consistent verification across markets. Our integrity-first approach ensures that every compliance step is grounded in verified facts and transparent processes.
We support businesses with:
EUDR Training that builds a clear understanding of regulatory requirements, supply chain traceability expectations, updated compliance timelines and the practical steps needed to prepare internal teams and suppliers.
EUDR Supplier Audits that evaluate the integrity of geolocation data, traceability documentation and supplier alignment with EUDR criteria, strengthening the reliability of your supply chain evidence.
EUDR Due Diligence System (DDS) Assessments that identify gaps in your current due diligence workflows, verify completeness of documentation and evaluate the readiness of your systems for EUDR reporting.
This structured approach ensures that your organisation develops a confident, evidence-based compliance pathway that supports sustainable operations and future regulatory expectations.
Read more: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/