On May 4, the European Commission has published a simplification review for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The direction of travel is clear now: the EUDR is staying and timelines remain unchanged, providing companies with long-needed regulatory certainty. With the application date just eight months away, companies should immediately move from “wait and see” to EUDR readiness.
The Review introduces product scope changes, IT updates and minor simplifications, not a reset. Large and medium companies must still comply by 30 December 2026, whereas micro and small enterprises follow by 30 June 2027. Core obligations and EUDR roles stay the same: most importantly, operators still must collect geolocation data for lands plots and proof of legality, analyze and mitigate risks, and submit due diligence statements (DDS).
The released package includes a formal Commission report, a new draft Delegated Act for Annex I and a revised Implementing Regulation for the EU Information system. This is accompanied by updated Guidance and FAQ.
The Commission estimates that previous changes from 2025, combined with the new proposal, could reduce annual compliance costs by 75% versus the original EUDR. New simplifications include improved one-off declarations for micro and small primary operators, updates to the Information System, a contingency plan for outages and a voluntary grouping feature for DDS.
The draft Delegated Act proposes minor changes for the product scope: soluble coffee and certain palm oil derivatives are added to Annex I. Leather, retreaded tyres are now excluded. Existing scope exemptions are now formalized: packaging, waste, samples, accessories, used or second-hand goods. In addition, some HS codes are clarified by adding “ex” to certain HS codes.
The Commission will likely finalize the proposed changes soon: the draft Delegated Act for Annex I is open for public feedback until June 1, before it will be adopted. Also, the draft Implementing Regulation for the Information System will be submitted to EU Member States first. More practically, the Commission will update the Information System and connect information from national databases, where possible.
What do these changes mean for your organization, processes and compliance requirements? In the upcoming webinars with Pohlmann & Company on May 12, we’ll break down:
🔗 English Session | May 12 | 04:00pm CEST / 10:00am EDT: EUDR Review 2026 – Simplifications, Requirements, Next Steps
🔗 German Session | May 12 | 11:00am CEST: EUDR Review 2026 – Simplifications, Anforderungen & nächste Schritte
Simplification reduces friction — not responsibility. Now is the time to turn EUDR compliance into a practical action plan.
November 2025
Stay ahead of the latest developments on the EU Deforestation Regulation. Our EUDR Content Collection is continuously updated with new insights, webinars, and expert resources—giving you everything you need to stay compliant and informed.
January 2026
Deforestation is no longer a distant environmental issue — it’s a defining business challenge. With the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), companies placing key commodities like coffee, cocoa, soy, and timber on the EU market, trading or exporting them must prove their products are deforestation-free and legally sourced.
November 2025
The EUDR Quick Starter Guide helps companies get ready for the EU Deforestation Regulation by outlining key steps from initial assessment to full implementation – covering governance, data preparation, supplier engagement, and practical guidance for building a scalable compliance approach.