EUDR in 2026: More clarity, same deadlines

In May 2026, the European Commission dropped a new EUDR update 🌱 

Five new documents. 121 FAQ updates. And no further delays.

First things first: what is the EUDR?

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) aims to keep products linked to deforestation or forest degradation away from the EU market.

That means you must be able to prove that your products are deforestation-free, legally produced, and covered by a due diligence process.

It covers, among others, commodities like:

🌳 wood
🐄 cattle
🌴 palm oil
🛞 rubber
🌱 soy

In practice, it means more traceability, documentation, and supply chain mapping.

What was included in the update?

The Commission has now published the full simplification package, including:

📄 An updated FAQ document with 121 additions and updates
📘 A new guidance document
🗺️ A supply chain infographic explaining your responsibilities
☕ A draft delegated act updating product scope

And yes, the compliance deadlines remain the same:

  • Medium-sized and large operators: December 30, 2026

  • Micro- and small-sized operators: June 30, 2027 

Some notable updates

The new draft introduced some particularly interesting changes to the scope, including:

  • Instant coffee and soap containing palm oil may now fall under EUDR

  • Cattle hides, skins, and leather may be excluded from scope

The FAQ updates also provide more clarification around various aspects, for example:

  • “First downstream operators” or traders do not have to actively request reference numbers or declaration identifiers - they can, in good faith, rely on upstream operators to pass them on.

  • You won’t need a DDS for reimported products if you can verify that the relevant products have been placed on the EU market before and been subject to due diligence.

  • A DDS can cover multiple physical batches/shipments of different relevant products as long as due diligence was carried out for all of them.

  • The DDS should not cover batches over a period longer than 1 year.

  • The DDS should only cover things already produced (grown, harvested, obtained from/raised on relevant land). But, when you source from a stable plot of land with unchanged conditions, you can submit a DDS before harvesting. 

What now?

The Commission’s message is pretty clear:

👉 The EUDR is happening.
👉 Companies are expected to prepare.
👉 The focus is now shifting from uncertainty to implementation.

So now’s a good time to review suppliers, traceability systems, and your due diligence setup before the regulation officially comes knocking 🌳

Need help with EUDR?

Yes, please!
ANNE KATRINE BLIRUP