PALMOILMAGAZINE, BRUSSELS – On September 23, 2025, EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall announced that the European Commission is considering a one-year delay in the enforcement of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) 2023/1115. Initially scheduled to take effect on December 30, 2025, for large and medium-sized companies, and June 30, 2026, for small and micro businesses, the regulation could now be postponed until the end of 2026.
According to beige-heron-208544.hostingersite.com citing sustainabilityinbusiness.blog (Saturday, September 27, 2025), Roswall made the announcement during the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels. She stressed that the delay would be solely based on technical reasons, particularly the readiness of the EUDR Information System, which is central to registering and managing the Due Diligence Statements (DDS) required of operators.
The Commission’s latest projections warn that the system could be overwhelmed by the high volume of submissions, leading to severe slowdowns or even prolonged disruptions. Such issues could prevent companies from registering, uploading DDS, or accessing essential data, potentially disrupting the flow of trade in commodities covered by the regulation.
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At this stage, the Commission has only sent an informal letter to the European Council and Parliament. No formal legislative proposal has been submitted, meaning the original EUDR deadlines remain in place for now.
Roswall also dismissed speculation that the delay might be linked to recent EU–US trade agreements or negotiations with partner countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, or Japan. She underlined that the reason was strictly technical—to minimize the risk of operational failures.
Next Steps
Following the informal communication, the Commission will consult with the Council and Parliament to determine the next course of action. Alongside postponement, options such as simplifying or adjusting the regulation could also be considered, though Roswall emphasized it is too early to confirm.
This would not be the first delay. In October 2024, the Commission proposed a postponement that was approved just days before the rules were due to take effect. Observers suggest a similar fast-track yet uncertain process may unfold this time.
Until a formal decision is reached, businesses are urged to continue preparing for compliance with the original timeline. Analysts also note that beyond timing, revisions could touch on technical aspects of implementation—including the possible introduction of new categories such as “zero-risk.” (P2)
