Nová legislativa EU v rámci boje s odlesňováním – zjednodušení (?) Komise

Following significant conceptual changes to the EUDR Regulation adopted by the European Union at the end of last year, the European Commission published a report in May assessing the implemented simplifications, along with a new set of supporting and interpretative documents.

The Commission also published a draft delegated act by which it intends to amend the list of relevant products covered by the EUDR.  The possibility for the general public to submit their feedback, which was open during May, was made use of by a number of entities. Almost five thousand comments were received on the draft from individuals, business associations, and consumer groups, as well as non-governmental and governmental organizations both within and outside the European Union.

In the published delegated act, the Commission proposes targeted adjustments to the relevant products falling within the scope of the EUDR. While certain products are to be excluded from the scope, others are to be newly included, and some are being further clarified. The proposed changes are also expected to affect exemptions, in particular in relation to reusable packaging and second-hand products.

The information system is also expected to undergo changes. It is currently temporarily unavailable but is expected to be relaunched in June with new functionalities designed to facilitate user interaction, which will continue to be enhanced throughout the year.

In order to facilitate compliance with EUDR obligations by operators, the Commission also plans to create an overview of relevant legislation of the countries of production, compliance with which is required under the EUDR, as well as an overview of available certifications relating to relevant commodities.

An important update is that the timeline for the entry into force of EUDR obligations remains unchanged. For large and medium-sized enterprises, the relevant date remains 30 December 2026, and for micro and small enterprises, it stays on 30 June 2027, with the exception of products covered by the EUTR (the existing timber regulation).

The changes introduced at the end of 2025 and in the new materials of the European Commission confirm one thing: the EUDR continues to present surprises. The new materials should, however, provide a clearer pathway towards full EUDR compliance in a more comprehensible manner and with more predictable outcomes.

Authors:

Veronika Juhasová

Jan Turek