The European Commission (EC) has announced that it is simplifying due diligence requirements for EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) compliance to cut the administrative load and cost for businesses. 

At the same time, it says it is stepping up dialogue on the EUDR and its requirement for deforestation-free commodity supply chains with third countries under its Strategic Framework for Cooperation and Engagement (SFCE).   

After being pushed back a year, the EUDR will come into force at the end of 2025 and six months later for small to medium sized businesses. It requires evidence that importers and traders have undertaken due diligence to ensure commodities placed on the EU market are not implicated in deforestation or forest degradation.

They must also provide geolocation coordinates for their origin.