EU Deforestation Regulation: One-year postponement now in force

There has been a significant development in the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Following the European Parliament vote on 26 November 2025 and the subsequent agreement with the Council, the targeted amendment to the Regulation was formally adopted and published in the Official Journal of the European Union in December 2025. The changes are legally effective.

• The key impact for CIF members is a one-year postponement of the application dates:
• Large and medium enterprises: now apply from 30 December 2026
• Micro and small enterprises: now apply from 30 June 2027

The amendment also removes the requirement for downstream Due Diligence Statements (DDS). Only the first-placed listed product on the EU market (the “operator”) must submit a DDS. Contractors, merchants and manufacturers purchasing materials already placed on the EU market will generally be required to retain and pass on DDS reference numbers, but not to file their own DDS.

Importantly, the core environmental obligations remain unchanged. Products must still be deforestation-free, legally produced, and supported by traceability information, including geolocation data where applicable.

For most construction contractors, the position remains clear: installing materials as part of a service does not make you a trader under EUDR. Obligations arise primarily where a company directly imports listed timber products or manufactures and places a listed product on the market.

CIF has updated its detailed EUDR Guidance Note (Version 05) to reflect the amended timelines and simplifications. Members are encouraged to review the guidance on the CIF ESG landing page, where further updates will be published as implementation guidance develops.