Delay to the Implementation of the European Deforestation Regulation Confirmed

The European Commission's proposal to delay the implementation of the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by 12 months has been approved.

Therefore, larger companies will now have until 30 December 2025 to ensure compliance, and small enterprises (organisations with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than €50 million or an annual balance sheet below €43 million) will have until 30 June 2026.

These changes are expected to be published in the Official Journal of the EU early in 2025.

In addition, it was proposed that along with the existing country classifications of low, standard, and high risk, a new category of 'no risk' is adopted for countries with stable or increasing forest area development.

The Commission also reiterated its commitment to establishing a country benchmarking system by 2025. This system will thoroughly evaluate a country's forest management practices and provide a dependable foundation for decision-making.

For further information about impacted supply chains, please contact John Hubbard.