The world's forests are central to species and climate protection and must be preserved – this is a consensus within the economy. However, with its Deforestation Regulation, the EU pursued an approach that would have confronted many companies with challenging tasks.
What the EUDR Says
Originally, the key provisions of the "EU Deforestation Regulation" (EUDR) were to apply from 30 December 2024. Due to massive concerns from Member States, third countries and companies, a one-year postponement was decided at the end of 2024.
However, the challenges of implementation – especially with regard to the required EU information system, the provision of geodata and the obligations in the downstream supply chain – remained significant, prompting the EU Commission itself to propose another postponement and simplifications in October 2025.
Postponement, Once-only, Simplifications ...
On 4 December 2025, the European Commission, the Council and the European Parliament agreed on a postponement and adjustments; on 16 December, this trilogue agreement was formally adopted by the European Parliament's plenary session. Accordingly, an updated version of the regulation, which incorporates many proposals from the DIHK, has now entered into force.
Accordingly, the application of the EUDR is to be postponed for another twelve months – for large and medium-sized companies to 30 December 2026, for small and micro-enterprises to 30 June 2027.
In addition, a once-only approach will apply in the supply chain. This means that only the first distributor must create a declaration of due diligence, and only the first market operator in the downstream supply chain must store the EUDR reference number. It was originally envisaged that at least the larger players should necessarily have established a system of due diligence – and thus constantly collect information, documents and data on the origin of their products.
For the smallest and small primary producers from low-risk countries, a one-time registration in the EU system and a simplified declaration of due diligence is sufficient.
Books, newspapers and printed materials are excluded from the product scope of the EUDR.
... and Review
Finally, the Council has instructed the EU Commission to examine further relief options by April 2026.
In January 2026, DIHK commented on this review with a catalogue of demands. The range of proposals extends from the elimination of the archiving obligation for reference numbers for first downstream market participants and traders to linking the regulation with accompanying trade and development policy measures.
Details can be found in the DIHK statement on the review of the EUDR dated 30 January 2026 (PDF, 221 KB) (only available in German)
Where can I learn more?
The Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE), which implements the EUDR in Germany, answers questions at anfragen@entwaldungsfreie-produkte.de and has compiled all the information about the regulation on its website: Who is affected? How does the EU information system work? What needs to be considered when filing a customs declaration? Diagrams, explanatory videos, FAQs, event notes, legal bases, and much more can be found at www.ble.de (only available in German).
The EU information system can be accessed at green-forum.ec.europa.eu. In addition to the actual access to the system, there is also a training platform, videos, tutorials, and more linked there.
The advisory services of the Helpdesk for Business and Human Rights can be accessed by telephone (+49 30 2130 8430-0) or by email (kontakt@helpdeskwimr.de).
Background
- Relevant in topic:
- Nachhaltigkeit
- Key areas:
-
- Umwelt
- Lieferketten
- Rohstoffe
Released 22.10.2025
Modified 17.03.2026
Contact
Olga van Zijverden
Director Foreign Trade Policy