Obligations under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) were due to apply from 30 December 2024. The European Commission has now proposed a 12-month delay to allow for a 12-month phase-in period to ensure effective implementation. Following the approval of the proposed postponement by the European Parliament and the Council, the EUDR obligations would take effect from 30 December 2025 (and from 30 June 2026 for SMEs).

The EUDR applies to "relevant commodities" ( cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soy and timber ) and specified derivative products. It is prohibited to import, make available or export such products to the EU unless they are "deforestation free" and manufactured in accordance with the relevant laws of the country of manufacture. For more information, see our overviews of the EUDR. (Suzanne Kearney, Aisling Carey, Golda Hession, more at lexology.com)