Simplification of Anti-Deforestation Law entered into force
On 23 December 2025, the simplification law to adjust the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) has been published in the EU Official Journal. The changes entered into force on the third day thereafter.
All businesses now have one more year to comply with new EU rules to prevent deforestation.
- - 30 DECEMBER 2026: Deadline for large operators and traders.
- - 30 JUNE 2027: Deadline for SMEs with less than 50 employees and an annual turnover related to relevant products of no more than EUR 10 million.
A significant update is the modified obligation and responsibility to submit the required due diligence declaration, which now solely lies with the operator who places the relevant product on the EU Single Market. Only the first downstream operator will have to record and store the reference numbers of the due diligence declaration. All other operators are no longer required to retain reference numbers and information from the preceding value chain. Information about customers/clients of the relevant products/services must still be kept for a period of five years.
The European construction industry fully supports the goal of protecting global forests, but it is essential that the requirements and evidence demanded remain proportionate, particularly for downstream operators incl. construction SMEs. FIEC therefore welcomes the final outcome of the legislative process and the simplifications that entered into force on 26 December 2025.
The legislative proposal of the European Commission was published in October and the co-legislators reached a provisional deal early in December. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) formally adopted this trilogue agreement on 17 December in plenary, with a majority of 405 votes. Member States in the Council followed suit and formally adopt the text by written procedure on 18 December.
Access the Deforestation Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 in the EU Official Journal: click here
Access the final and legally binding amendments to the EU Deforestation Regulation in the EU Official Journal: click here
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Topics
- Affordable Housing
- Asbestos at work
- Circular Economy
- Climate Change
- Construction Products Regulation
- Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence
- Digitalisation and Construction 4.0
- European Blue Deal
- European Green Deal
- Health & Safety
- Infrastructure Maintenance
- Late Payment
- Level-playing field with state-owned enterprises from third countries
- Pact for Skills in Construction
- Posting of Workers
- Public Procurement
- Renovation Wave
- Rising prices and supply chain disruptions
- Sustainable Finance & EU Taxonomy
- Standardisation
- Vocational education and training (VET)