📌This article, written by Yoeri Buis (ESG specialist), explains the European Parliament’s newly approved one-year delay and simplification of the EUDR, outlining what has changed, what comes next, and what companies should do to prepare.
2025 EUDR Update: One-year delay and simplified requirements
On Nov. 26th, the European Parliament voted in favor of delaying and simplifying parts of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This decision gives companies more time to prepare and reduces administrative pressure for many operators across the supply chain.
What has changed:
- European parliament voted in favour of delaying the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
- Large operators will have to comply as of 30 December 2026, and micro- and small operators from 30 June 2027.
- Parliament requested a simplification review by 30 April 2026 to assess the law’s impact and administrative burden.
- This proposal still needs to be formally adopted; this is expected before the end of 2025.
A new proposal
Under the new proposal, the main compliance deadline is pushed back by one year. Large and medium-sized companies will now be required to comply by 30 December 2026, while small and micro-enterprises have until 30 June 2027. The Parliament also confirmed that only the company that first places a covered product on the EU market will need to submit a full due-diligence statement.
Other traders and downstream operators can rely on that initial declaration, significantly reducing duplicate reporting. Small operators sourcing from low-risk countries may only need to provide a simplified one-off declaration.
What comes next
With the backing of the European Parliament on 26 November 2025, the proposal to postpone and simplify EUDR now moves to the European Commission and the Council of the European Union for formal adoption.
Once both institutions agree on a final version, that text will be published in the Official Journal of the EU. At this point, EUDR will formally enter into force. Publication is expected to occur before the end of 2025.
MasterSustainability.Today will continue to monitor developments as the final legislative text moves toward adoption.
How to react to this update
These adjustments aim to ease the rollout of the regulation without changing its core objective: ensuring that products such as coffee, cocoa, soy, timber, rubber and cattle are linked to deforestation-free supply chains. The extra year gives businesses more time to collect data, assess supplier risk and set up systems for traceability and verification. This is a welcome moment to breathe. Yet it shouldn’t be seen as a reason to slow down.
Preparing data collection processes, clarifying roles within the supply chain and aligning with suppliers takes time. Starting early remains the safest path to smooth compliance once the regulation becomes fully binding.
Use this delay to your advantage
Even with the extended deadlines, timely preparation remains crucial. The extra year offers breathing room, not a reason to pause, as setting up the right supply chain data, processes and supplier alignment still takes significant time. MasterSustainability.Today supports companies with a solution tailored to the updated timelines and simplified requirements. A flexible implementation offer helps our clients become fully prepared and compliant regardless of amendments to regulations. Now and in the future, with an ESG solutions that grows together with your organisation.
