On 16 October 2024, the Council of the European Union agreed to extend the application timeline for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This decision follows the European Commission’s proposal on 2 October 2024, to delay the entry into application of the EUDR by 12 months. The extension aims to provide additional time for companies and countries to better apply the rules and ensure compliance.
The Council will now formally inform the European Parliament. A possible vote on “a request for urgent procedure” is tabled there for October 22 (1). If approved, the new deadline for large and medium companies would be 30 December 2025, and for micro and small undertakings 30 June 2026.
Companies need to take immediate action
The proposed new timeline does not change the substantive rules of the EUDR but postpones their application date by 12 months. In the words of the EU Commission, this move is intended to give stakeholders more time to adapt to the new requirements and ensure a smoother transition.
Our experience shows that stakeholder engagement can be very time-consuming. EUDR-impacted operators and traders have to start now to reach out to suppliers, customers, and NGOs to ensure that their supply chain is deforestation-free by next summer for goods ordered for delivery after December 30, 2025.
For more information, please visit the official press release from the Council of the European Union.
How PwC can help
Would you like to know more about the potential impacts of this extension or any other related information? Our PwC experts are here to help you navigate these changes and ensure that your systems and procedures are effectively aligned to satisfy the requirements of the EUDR.
(1) Draft Agenda of the EU Parliament: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document//OJQ-10-2024-10-22_EN.html#V-3
