EUDR News & Updates — eudr.today

The EU Deforestation Regulation — What Is Happening Now

Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, commonly known as the EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation), remains one of the most debated pieces of European legislation in recent years. Adopted in June 2023 with the aim of eliminating deforestation from EU supply chains, the regulation directly affects trade in timber, coffee, cocoa, rubber, soy, palm oil and cattle products.

At eudr.today, we track legislative developments, compliance deadlines and the impact on operators and traders across Romania and the European Union.

Latest Developments — May 2026

• 4 May 2026 — Commission publishes the simplification review: The European Commission has formally adopted the EUDR simplification package (press release IP/26/941). The package includes a report to the European Parliament and Council, an updated guidance document, updated FAQs, a draft delegated act on product scope (open for public feedback until 1 June 2026), and an updated implementing act on the EUDR Information System. The Commission claims a ≈75% reduction in annual compliance costs compared to the original EUDR. Full breakdown on the May 2026 simplification review page.
• Simplification package slips past 30 April: At the EC midday press briefing on 27 April 2026, Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen confirmed that the simplification review legally due by 30 April will instead be presented "in the coming days" — "it's not Friday". She was emphatic on one point: "We will not reopen the European Union deforestation regulation." The package will include a review report, updated FAQs and guidance, a delegated act on product scope, and an implementing act on the IT system. Full analysis on the April 2026 simplification package page.
• Germany pushes its own simplification agenda: On 30 March 2026, the German Federal Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Home Affairs (BMLEH) submitted formal proposals to the Commission, including collective regional reporting for small producers, lighter requirements for imports from low-risk countries, and limiting checks and sanctions to the first placing on the market. Federal Minister Alois Rainer: "We can achieve effective global forest protection without undermining our companies' competitiveness."
• New compliance deadlines now in force: Following the targeted revision adopted by the Council on 18 December 2025 and published in the EU Official Journal on 23 December 2025, large and medium operators must comply by 30 December 2026; small and micro operators (non-timber products) by 30 June 2027. See the full deadline timeline.
• Scope narrowed: Printed products (HS code "ex 49") have been removed from the regulation's scope. Simplified due diligence applies to downstream operators and traders, and to a new category of small and micro primary operators in low-risk countries.
• EU Information System: The IT platform for receiving due diligence statements continues to mature. The April 2026 implementing act is expected to clarify technical specifications. Learn more about the status of the information system.
• Impact on Romania: As one of the EU's largest timber producers, Romania faces specific challenges related to traceability and compliance. Read the analysis of the impact on the Romanian forestry sector.

Why EUDR Matters

The European Union is the world's second-largest consumer of products associated with deforestation, after China. Through the EUDR, the EU aims to reduce the ecological footprint of European trade by imposing due diligence obligations for all seven targeted commodities and their derivatives.

The regulation introduces a country benchmarking system based on deforestation risk (high, standard, low), which will directly influence the intensity of checks imposed on operators. This benchmarking system is managed through the EU Information System.

Complementary Resources

For a detailed legal analysis of the regulation text, visit eudr.live — the EUDR knowledge hub. For practical compliance guides and implementation tools, see eudr.solutions.

Follow industry and NGO reactions to understand the perspectives of different stakeholders on the future of EUDR.