The European Commission has formally rejected calls for an EUDR delay, confirming that the EU Deforestation Regulation will come into force on 30 December 2025 for large companies, and 30 December 2026 for small and micro-enterprises.
However, in a move to ease the compliance burden, the Commission has introduced a six-month grace period. During this period, non-compliant large companies will not be subject to fines, offering temporary leniency as enforcement mechanisms scale up.
The decision follows a recommendation from lawmakers in September to delay the regulation by 12 months, citing concerns over the readiness of the EU’s central IT platform for product traceability. Continue reading to learn more about the EUDR delay news and its implications for corporate sustainability.
Understanding the EUDR delay vote
The proposed EUDR delay vote emerged amid growing concern from Member States and industry bodies about practical implementation. Key issues included a lack of technical readiness for the digital due diligence system and limited support for smaller importers.
Despite these challenges, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to the regulation’s timeline on 21 October 2025, prioritising environmental impact and legislative credibility.
From the end of December 2025, companies importing products such as beef, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, natural rubber, soy or wood will be required to prove that those goods are both deforestation-free and legally produced, with 2020 set as the deforestation cut-off date.
Learn how to align with EUDR requirements and turn compliance into competitive advantage
Simplified responsibilities for importers
To streamline enforcement, the Commission also announced a key simplification: Only the first importer placing a product on the EU market will be responsible for submitting a due diligence statement.
This means downstream operators and traders are no longer legally obligated to submit compliance documentation. While this reduces administrative burdens for many businesses, critics warn it could undermine the regulation’s traceability and enforcement goals.
Environmental groups say the change introduces blind spots, making it harder to trace non-compliant goods once they enter the EU market and circulate across Member States.
What this means for your business
The rejection of a full EUDR regulation delay confirms that the regulation remains on track — and businesses must act now to meet compliance expectations.
The six-month grace period offers limited breathing room, but it does not eliminate the need for immediate preparation. Companies that delay risk falling behind on due diligence processes, losing stakeholder trust, or incurring costs related to non-compliance.
Key actions to prioritise:
- Establish traceability and data systems for all high-risk commodities
- Conduct or update risk assessments across your supply chain
- Prepare auditable due diligence statements ahead of the December 2025 deadline
- Engage with suppliers now to align on compliance requirements
- Upskill internal teams to reduce over-reliance on costly external consultants
No time to waste — Build internal capability now
With the EUDR delay officially ruled out and only temporary enforcement relief granted, businesses must move from understanding to action.
At the Institute of Sustainability Studies (ISS), we support teams to:
- Understand EUDR obligations and compliance scope
- Build auditable due diligence systems aligned with regulatory expectations
- Strengthen supplier engagement and risk mapping
- Reduce consultancy costs by equipping internal teams
Whether you’re in procurement, sustainability, or compliance, now is the time to prepare. Explore our corporate sustainability training solutions, and make compliance your competitive advantage, not a cost centre.
Dedicated to harnessing the power of storytelling to raise awareness, demystify, and drive behavioural change, Bronagh works as the Communications & Content Manager at the Institute of Sustainability Studies. Alongside her work with ISS, Bronagh contributes articles to several news media publications on sustainability and mental health.
