EUDR: European Parliament comes out in favour of postponing the application
On 26 November 2025, the European Parliament decided to postpone the start of application of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by one year to 30 December 2026. In doing so, Parliament follows the nearly identical position adopted by the EU Council on 19 November 2025.
However, the decision is not yet final: for the postponement to take effect, the approval of the European Commission is still required. Only once Parliament, Council and Commission agree on a common position in the upcoming trilogue negotiations can the postponement be formally adopted. The negotiations are expected to be concluded by Christmas. If no agreement is reached, the EUDR would apply as early as 30 December 2025.
Given the clear position taken by both Parliament and Council, this scenario is now considered highly unlikely. It is not expected that the European Commission will maintain its previous opposition in the face of the clearly expressed political will of the two co-legislators.
Background: Diverging positions within the European Commission
The responsible EU Commissioner Roswall had already proposed a one-year postponement of the start date on 23 September 2025. This was justified by significant IT-related problems, in particular with the technical implementation of traceability systems.
However, only a few weeks later there was an unexpected change of course: on 21 October 2025, the European Commission rejected a postponement and instead presented an amendment proposal providing for numerous simplifications – with the aim of making the EUDR more practicable for companies without reducing its environmental ambitions.
Overview of the proposed adjustments
Planned changes at a glance
New role for downstream operators: So-called downstream operators will no longer be required to carry out their own due diligence checks or submit due diligence statements.
Relief for small businesses: Micro and small enterprises from low-risk countries will only be required to submit a one-time, simplified declaration.
Transparency remains mandatory: The transfer of reference numbers and declaration identifiers along the supply chain remains a prerequisite for effective traceability.
Adjusted timelines: For smaller companies, the new requirements are to become binding only as of 30 December 2026. Regulatory inspections are expected to begin from 30 June 2026.
With these adjustments, the Commission aims to ensure that the EUDR remains legally sound and technically feasible, including for smaller market participants.
Seminar tip
EUDR overview – Does the deforestation regulation apply to my company?
In this free online seminar, participants will learn whether their company falls under the scope of the EUDR and which obligations apply in practice.
