The European Commission on May 3 published a report on the simplification of the revised EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) as well as a set of additional measures “for a smooth and effective implementation following the agreement of co-legislators last December.” The Commission asserts that these measures” will provide additional clarity to economic operators, Member States, third countries, and other stakeholders, while guaranteeing legal stability and predictability.”
Under the EUDR, any operator or trader who places on the EU market cattle, wood, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee, or rubber, as well as some of their derived products, must be able to prove that the products do not originate from recently deforested land or have contributed to forest degradation. The EU on Dec. 23, 2025, adopted an amendment to the EUDR officially delaying its implementation. Specifically, the effective dates are currently Dec. 30, 2026, with respect to large and medium operators; June 30, 2027, with respect to micro and small operators; and Dec. 30, 2026, with respect to micro and small operators already covered by the EU Timber Regulation.
Among other actions, the Commission has issued a draft delegated act that proposes to remove several products from the scope of the EUDR, including hides, leather, and retreaded tires, and add to the scope downstream products such as soluble coffee and certain palm oil derivatives. Product samples, certain packing materials, used and second-hand products, and waste would also be exempted from the regulation. Public input on the proposed changes may be submitted through June 1.
The Commission has also issued an updated guidance document and a Frequently Asked Questions document that address the topics most frequently raised by stakeholders. Both documents provide further clarification on obligations for the downstream supply chain and the very simplified specific regime applicable to micro and small primary operators. Explanations are provided on issues such as e-commerce and geolocation modalities. The updated EUDR supply chain infographics also provide user-friendly practical examples illustrating the various supply chain scenarios, according to the Commission.
In addition, the Commission has issued a report to the European Parliament and Council describing the simplification measures that have been implemented since the entry into force of the EUDR.
Following the release of the EUDR simplification package, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service remained critical of the Commission’s reform effort in a report dated May 7, noting that “despite U.S. requests, the Commission has not addressed key U.S. concerns with EUDR, including a request that producers in countries posing negligible risk not be required to produce due diligence statements or provide onerous geolocation data.”
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