The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) faces another postponement —but only for smaller operators. According to FoodNavigator, the European Commission has proposed that medium and large companies comply with the regulation by December 30, 2025, as originally planned, while micro and small enterprises would receive an extension until December 30, 2026, instead of the previously scheduled June 30, 2025 start date.
In addition, the proposal simplifies requirements for certain links in the supply chain: “downstream operators” —such as distributors or manufacturers selling already imported products— will no longer need to submit their own due diligence statements, as that obligation will fall on the importer who first places the goods on the market.
The measure aims to prevent overloading the EUDR’s IT system and to reduce the administrative burden on smaller players, without compromising the overall framework of traceability and the ban on products linked to post-2000 deforestation.
