The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) implementation has been delayed to December 2026 for larger EU businesses, and June 2027 for SMEs*. It’s a major update in the timeline for the EUDR, and the following summary provides a context for what this delay actually means for businesses.
What the delay means:
The EUDR was originally due to take effect much sooner, but the EU has now pushed back enforcement:
- Larger enterprises ‘non-SMEs’ (> €50m annual turnover) are expected to comply from December 30th, 2026.
- Small, medium and micro companies (SME’s*) – (≤ €50m annual turnover) have been given extra time until June 30, 2027.
- Note : Organisations currently dealing in wood – based product already covered by the existing EUTR (EU Timber Regulation) must align with the December 2026 deadline. This means that paper products have to comply by December 30th 2026, regardless of company size.
This delay gives some organisations more breathing room, but none of the core obligations have changed. Businesses still need to prove that products linked to commodities such as timber, paper, rubber, cocoa, coffee, etc., are deforestation‑free and fully traceable.
The significance explained:
The following emphasises several key points about the delay:
- Extra time doesn’t mean reduced obligations
The EU stresses that although the deadline has moved, the requirements remain exactly the same. Companies still need to prepare detailed due diligence statements (DDS), maintain traceability, and be ready for audits.
- Businesses are reassessing their preparation plans
Because of the delay, many organisations are reconsidering how quickly they need to act. The EU warns that waiting too long could be risky, especially since supply‑chain mapping and data collection take time.
- An April 2026 review will not rewrite the rules
The EU will conduct a “simplification” review in April 2026, but the EU makes it clear that this won’t change the core obligations. Any adjustments will be technical, not a reset.
- SME timelines and exemptions are still complex
The surrounding content highlights that SME status affects obligations, but not as much as some expect. Company size, location, and supply‑chain role all matter.
- The delay is meant to help businesses prepare properly
The EU frames the new timeline as an opportunity to build stronger, more resilient supply chains, not an excuse to slow down.
General Note for UK Businesses: If you are a UK packaging business, your company size does not exempt you from the operational impact of this law. If you supply to the EU, your customers become “Operators” under the EUDR. They cannot legally place your products on the EU market without specific data from you – including precise geolocation coordinates for the origin of the raw materials. You will be required to collect and pass on this “Due Diligence” data package on request to maintain your supply contracts.
Expert Assistance & Traceability Solutions: To help navigate these technical requirements further, we recommend speaking to us so that we can put you in touch with a more detailed source of advice or you may review a webinar on EUDR that we ran last year (2025) where you can learn more.
Note, you need to register on the Membership Page: https://midlandspackagingsociety.org/membership/ if you have not already done so to gain access to our past webinars.