Latest: EU Council Finalizes Mandate to Streamline and Delay the Deforestation Regulation
- Gusi Ayu Putri Chandrika Sari
- 6 hours ago
- 5 min read
Editor’s Note:
Just in: The EU Council has just released its position based on last month’s EU Commission proposal to simplify the EUDR, including a proposal to delay its implementation by one year. The Council is ready to start negotiations with the European Parliament next week during a plenary session in Strasbourg, until the current EUDR becomes applicable on 30 December 2025. The path forward is unchanged; the expectations remain high. The businesses that use this window wisely wil be the ones best positioned to secure long-term market access and leadership in the future of responsible trade.
Executive Summary:
The EU Council has proposed a one-year postponement of EUDR application to 30 December 2026, with an additional six months for micro and small enterprises, and it supports the simplification proposal launched by the EU Commision last month. This replaces earlier grace-period proposals and gives all operators a clearer, more manageable compliance timeline.
Practical Simplifications to Reduce Administrative Burden Key operational adjustments include: Only the first placer must submit the due diligence statement. Downstream operators need only pass the reference number of the original submission. Micro and small operators may provide a simplified one-off declaration. These changes streamline reporting while maintaining the regulation’s core objectives.
This does not mean that the delay is confirmed. The Council will begin negotiations with the European Parliament to reach a final agreement in the coming weeks to reach a final agreement before the current EUDR becomes applicable on 30 December 2025.
Table of Index:
A Practical Simplifications Mandates by the Council
A Tight Timeline and a Critical Negotiation Phase
How KOLTIVA Accelerates EUDR-Ready Supply Chains
The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) continues to redefine what responsible sourcing means for global agricultural supply chains. Designed to ensure that commodities entering the EU market are fully traceable and verified as deforestation-free, the regulation has pushed producers, traders, exporters, and manufacturers to reassess how they collect data, manage suppliers, and demonstrate due diligence across complex networks.
On 19 November 2025, the EU Council adopted its negotiating mandate for a targeted revision of the EUDR. The objective is to streamline implementation and postpone application deadlines to give operators, traders, and national authorities the time and capacity needed to comply effectively. These updates respond to concerns from member states and industry stakeholders regarding readiness, data reliability, and technical challenges with the EU’s new information system.
For companies supplying cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, and other forest-risk commodities, these changes create a crucial window: a chance to upgrade traceability systems, organize producers data, validate geolocations, and prove deforestation-free sourcing before enforcement intensifies.
Following concerns from member states and stakeholders about the readiness of companies and administrations, as well as about technical issues related to the new information system, the Council supports the Commission’s targeted simplification of the due diligence process. The Council also pushes to introduce a uniform one-year postponement of the application of the regulation for all operators, until 30 December 2026, with an extra six-month cushion for micro and small operators (EU Council, 2025).
In this article, we unpack what the November 2025 update really means, what is delayed, what is streamlined, what stays firmly in place, and how businesses can use this transition period to strengthen their EUDR readiness with the right digital tools, data, and supply chain support.
A Practical Simplifications Mandates by the Council
The Council’s mandate has introduced a number of changes to the Commission’s proposal to further reduce the administrative burden on operators, particularly small and micro operators, and allow for a smooth implementation of the regulation. Under the Council’s position:
Medium & Large Operators: New compliance deadline moved to 30 December 2026
Micro & Small Operators: Extended deadline to 30 June 2027
Beyond the delay, the Council’s mandate introduces practical simplifications that directly impact supply chain operations, as stated in the recent press release by EU Council:
First Placer Responsibility
Only the first operator placing goods on the EU market must file the due-diligence statement.
Downstream Operators Pass Reference Numbers Only
Instead of duplicating due diligence statements, downstream operators will no longer produce separate due-diligence documents, instead will simply pass along the reference number of the original submission. This reduces repetitive documentation and eliminates unnecessary administrative loops.
One-Off Simplified Declaration for Micro/Small Producers
Recognising the burden on smaller operators to comply in full. Smallholder farmers and micro enterprises will be allowed to make a one-off simplified declaration, easing the regulatory burden on the most vulnerable actors.
Review by the European Commission by April 2026
The EU Commission will assess implementation impacts and propose further simplifications if required.
What’s Next: On the basis of this mandate, the Council will start negotiations with the European Parliament in order to reach a final agreement in the coming weeks and before the current EUDR becomes applicable as of 30 December 2025.
A Tight Timeline and a Critical Negotiation Phase
The next phase involves negotiations between the EU Council and the European Parliament. The goal: reach an agreement before the current EUDR enters into force on 30 December 2025.
While the political process continues, businesses cannot afford to remain passive. EUDR is not being reversed, only refined. The commitments to curb deforestation, ensure ethical supply chains, and increase sustainability remain non-negotiable.
The delayed and simplified timeline gives companies more time, but not an excuse to wait. If anything, the additional months provide a strategic window to accelerate compliance preparation:
Comprehensive mapping and geolocation of all sourcing areas
End-to-end, batch-level digital traceability
Verification of deforestation-free production
Preparation of supporting evidence for due diligence
Supplier and field team capacity building
Integration of traceability platforms and data systems
Companies that leverage this transition period effectively will secure uninterrupted market access once EUDR enforcement begins.
How KOLTIVA Accelerates EUDR-Ready Supply Chains
At KOLTIVA, we see this regulatory shift not only as a challenge but as a catalyst for more inclusive, and more transparent supply chains. With over a decade of experience supporting global agriculture companies, our integrated platform offers end-to-end tools that directly align with the evolving EUDR requirements:
High-accuracy geo-mapping and polygon verification
Digital traceability from farm to export
Deforestation-risk screening using satellite and land-use datasets
On-the-ground supplier onboarding and capacity building
Automated due diligence statements backed by complete data trails
Transaction-level tracking to support first-placer obligations
Whether you are a downstream trader, an EU importer, or a primary operator in producing countries, KOLTIVA’s solutions help you stay ahead of regulatory shifts — without overwhelming your internal teams or smallholder suppliers.
As the EU refines its approach, one thing becomes clear: sustainability remains the future of global trade. The updated timelines are designed to support businesses — not slow down progress. Companies that act now will not only meet compliance but gain competitive advantage in an increasingly regulated market.
KOLTIVA will continue to monitor developments closely and support businesses through each stage of adjustment. More detailed analysis and sector-specific insights will follow on KOLTIVA’s LinkedIn and Resources Centre on www.koltiva.com/resources-center
Author: Gusi Ayu Putri Chandrika Sari, Social Media Practitioner at KOLTIVA
Gusi Ayu Putri Chandrika Sari combines her expertise in digital marketing and social media with a deep commitment to sustainability, supported by over eight years of experience in communications. Her work focuses on crafting impactful narratives that connect technology, agriculture, and environmental responsibility. She is driven by a passion for promoting sustainable practices through compelling, audience-focused content across a variety of digital platforms.
