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Headline News: European Parliament Votes for One-Year EUDR Delay and Simplification

Editor’s Note:

This article is published at a critical moment for global agriculture and sustainability. Headlines may focus on the delay, but experts across the sector know that regulatory expectations, buyer requirements, and environmental imperatives are accelerating, not slowing. Koltiva encourages all supply chain actors to interpret this development correctly: not as a relaxation of ambition, but as a strategic window to build the systems, data foundations, and partnerships needed for long-term compliance. The companies that use this additional time wisely will be the ones that thrive in an increasingly sustainability-led global market.

 

Executive Summary

  • The European Parliament has voted to postpone the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by one year.

  • Companies will now have an additional year to meet the new EU requirements aimed at preventing deforestation and forest degradation. Under the updated timeline, large operators and traders must comply by 30 December 2026, while micro and small enterprises have until 30 June 2027 to fulfill the regulation.

  • The regulation also foresees simplified due diligence obligations for certain operators and traders. The European Commission is mandated to conduct a simplification review by 30 April 2026, and where necessary, submit a subsequent legislative proposal.


On 26 November 2025, the European Parliament voted to delay and simplify parts of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), a move that immediately captured global attention across agriculture, commodities, and sustainability ecosystems. The decision passed with 402 votes in favour and 250 against, extending the enforcement timeline and introducing targeted simplifications to ease the administrative burden on businesses.

 

The vote signals a recognition that companies, governments, and technology providers need additional space to build reliable systems that can withstand the regulation’s long-term obligations. Yet the foundation of the EUDR remains unchanged: products entering or leaving the EU must be free from deforestation and produced in accordance with local laws.

 

For companies in cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, coconut, seaweed, and other key commodities, the coming months represent both a challenge and a window of opportunity. The EU has delayed certain compliance deadlines, but this is not a softening of ambition. Rather, it is a strategic extension to allow governments, companies, and technology providers to get systems right before enforcement takes full effect.

 

At Koltiva, we see this moment as critical. The additional time must be used wisely to build robust traceability systems, strengthen data integrity, and prepare for due diligence obligations that will define access to the EU market for the next decade.


European Parliament Votes for One-Year EUDR Delay and Simplification - Koltiva.com

 


A One-Year Postponement, Without Diluting the Law’s Purpose

According to Parliament’s position, companies will have an additional year to comply with new EU rules to prevent deforestation. Under the new timeline:

  • Large operators and traders must comply by 30 December 2026.

  • Micro- and small enterprises must comply by 30 June 2027.

 

This additional time is intended to guarantee a smooth transition and to allow the implementation of measures to strengthen the IT system that operators, traders and their representatives use to make electronic due diligence statements. It is merely extending the runway to ensure implementation is feasible, especially in complex, smallholder-dominated supply chains.

 

However, none of these changes the regulation’s central pillar i.e. products must be deforestation-free, Supply chains must be fully traceable to the plot level, Operators must demonstrate compliance with relevant legal frameworks.

 

Simplification Measures: What Was Adopted

Alongside the delay, Parliament supported several changes aimed at reducing administrative burden:

 

  • Simplified declarations for micro and small operators

    Small primary operators, especially in low-risk countries, would only need to submit a one-off simplified declaration. This is intended to address concerns about administrative capacity without weakening safeguards.


  • Due diligence responsibility placed on the first operator introducing products to the EU market

    Instead of requiring all businesses in the chain to submit due diligence statements (DDS), Parliament proposes simplifying the obligation by assigning it primarily to the first operator placing goods on the market. Downstream actors would maintain record-keeping obligations but without the full DDS requirement.


  • Commission-mandated simplification review by 30 April 2026

    The European Commission must evaluate administrative burdens, assess early implementation challenges, and present a report accompanied, if necessary, by legislative amendments. This creates an early adjustment mechanism before full enforcement begins.


  • Potential scope exclusions

    A separate amendment voting session saw Parliament support removing finished printed products, books, newspapers, magazines, from EUDR scope. This change must still pass Council approval and is not yet final.

 

While discussions continue over potential clarifications and carve-outs, none of these amendments undermines the regulation's core environmental goal.

 

What Happens Next?

The Parliament’s adopted position now forms its mandate for trilogue negotiations with the Council and the Commission. These negotiations will determine the final text and confirm whether the delay officially enters EU law.

 

Key milestones ahead:

  • December 2025: Expected start of trilogues.

  • By end of 2025: Target for adoption of the amended regulation.

  • 2026: Simplification review by the Commission.

  • 30 December 2026: New enforcement date for large operators.

  • 30 June 2027: Enforcement for micro and small enterprises.

 

Until the amended regulation is formally adopted, businesses should proceed under the existing EUDR framework while preparing for the likely timeline adjustment.

 

What This Means for Businesses Now

It is essential to underline a key point often lost in the headlines that Nothing in the delay changes the long-term compliance obligation. EU buyers continue operationalizing EUDR-aligned sourcing policies, and many are preparing stricter internal requirements than the regulation demands. Nothing is confirmed yet. The final text will depend on trilogue negotiations, expected to begin within the next four weeks. Until then, we recommend continuing preparations as originally planned to ensure supply-chain readiness regardless of the outcome.

 

Next steps: If trilogues conclude before year-end, the amended Regulation (including any delay or simplification) will be adopted. If not, the EUDR will apply as currently written.

 

Several realities remain unchanged:

  • Traceability to farm or plot level is still required. Geolocation data, polygon boundaries, land-use verification, and farm-level legality checks remain the backbone of compliance.

  • Due diligence remains mandatory. Even with simplified statements for certain operators, supply chain information must remain complete, credible, and verifiable.

  • The burden of proof lies with the operator. Companies must demonstrate that no deforestation occurred after the cutoff date of 31 December 2020.

  • Market expectations move faster than regulation. EU buyers increasingly require full compliance ahead of regulatory deadlines to avoid future supply disruptions.

  • Delaying preparation will increase costs. Rushing mapping, verification, and supplier onboarding near the deadline will strain internal teams and inflate compliance costs.

     

The message from the EU is consistent: the implementation timeline may shift, but deforestation-linked products will not be accepted in the market—today or in the future.

 

Why the Delay Should Not Slow Traceability Preparations

Some businesses may interpret the postponement as an opportunity to pause compliance efforts. Even with a postponed timeline, global buyers are not slowing down. Multinational companies already operating in the EU continue aligning their procurement practices with EUDR standards.

 

Many consider 2025–2026 a critical transition period to prepare suppliers and avoid future supply disruptions. This would be a costly mistake. Early movers will benefit from:

 

  • Reduced operational pressure

    Starting now avoids a bottleneck in late 2026 when thousands of companies will simultaneously seek mapping and verification services. Early mapping and verification help avoid high-volume audits and rushed compliance retrofits once deadlines approach. With better visibility into supply chains, companies can improve planning, sourcing diversification, and supplier engagement.


  • Stronger supplier engagement

    Smallholders and cooperatives need clear guidance, coaching, documentation support, and time to gather required data.


  • More reliable data

    Hastily collected geolocation data often contains inaccuracies that can lead to compliance failures. Quality mapping requires time.


  • Stronger positioning with EU buyers, secured market access

    Procurement teams are already prioritizing suppliers who demonstrate EUDR readiness and transparency. Buyers increasingly prefer suppliers who demonstrate readiness. Being EUDR-aligned early positions companies as trusted partners in competitive commodity sectors.


  • Long-term supply resilience

    Traceability strengthens risk management far beyond regulatory compliance—enabling diversification, strategic sourcing, and improved sustainability performance. For these reasons, traceability remains the most important step businesses can take today.


  • Risk mitigation

    Traceability enables faster detection of issues related to legality, land-use change, or social risks, reducing exposure to penalties and shipment rejections.

 

Koltiva’s End-to-End Support for EUDR Readiness

As a technology provider with deeply integrated field operations, We are accelerating its support for businesses navigating this rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. Our approach is grounded in practical, achievable steps that companies can begin implementing today, ensuring compliance is not only met but operationalized efficiently across complex, smallholder-driven supply chains.

 

We continue to enhance our traceability and due diligence platform with EUDR-specific capabilities, while our global field teams work directly with producers, cooperatives, and aggregators to strengthen data integrity and farm-level verification. This combination of technology and on-the-ground expertise uniquely positions Koltiva to deliver full EUDR readiness for organizations of all sizes. We are enhancing the platform with features tailored to EUDR compliance:


·      High-resolution plot mapping with polygon boundaries

·      Multi-plot and multi-crop farm structures

·      Geolocation accuracy verification

·      Automated risk scoring and geospatial alerts

·      Due diligence statement generation

 

These ensure clients can demonstrate compliance at any stage of the supply chain. The postponement of the EUDR enforcement date should not be viewed as a pause in expectations. Rather, it provides businesses with a crucial opportunity to prepare thoroughly and strategically.

 

Koltiva stands ready to support businesses through this transition. Our integrated technology, global field operations, and sustainability expertise equip companies to navigate complexity with confidence.

 

Beyond Traceability: Continuing the EUDR Learning Journey with On-Demand Webinar

Compliance is not a one-time exercise—it is an ongoing journey that demands continuous learning, alignment, and adaptation. To support our partners and the broader industry through this transition, Koltiva has developed the BeyondTraceability Talks: EUDR Webinar Series:


 

This curated set of expert-led discussions breaks down complex EUDR requirements and provides practical, field-informed pathways for implementation across diverse commodities and geographies.


 



 

Traceability is and Will Remain the Foundation of EUDR Compliance

The updated timelines provide breathing room, but they do not remove the urgency. Every month in 2026 is an opportunity to build stronger, more transparent systems. Koltiva is committed to being your long-term partner in this journey, ensuring your business is fully prepared, competitive, and resilient as the EUDR takes effect.


If your teams need a readiness consultation, sector-specific onboarding plan, or a demonstration of our end-to-end compliance solutions, our experts are ready to support you.

 

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.


Resources:

  • European Parliament. (2025, November 20). EU deforestation law: Parliament supports simplification measures. Retrieved from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20251120IPR31498/eu-deforestation-law-parliament-supports-simplification-measures European Parliament

  • The Bookseller. (2025, November). EUDR amended to remove all printed products from regulations. Retrieved from https://www.thebookseller.com/news/eudr-amended-to-remove-all-printed-products-from-regulations

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