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New legislation
European Commission takes action to simplify the EU Deforestation Regulation
On 15 April 2025, the Commission released new guidance documents for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), aimed at simplifying its implementation and reducing administrative burdens for Member States, operators, and traders. Set to take effect at the end of this year, the guidance includes Frequently Asked Questions that help clarify how to prove products are deforestation-free, promoting uniform application across the EU.
Key simplifications include allowing large companies to reuse existing due diligence statements for reimported goods, enabling authorized representatives to submit due diligence statements for company groups, and permitting annual submissions instead of per shipment. Additionally, there is clarification on the minimal legal obligations for large companies regarding due diligence.
The Commission is also finalizing a country benchmarking system through an Implementing Act, expected to be adopted by June 2025. These measures are projected to reduce administrative costs for companies by approximately 30%, facilitating a straightforward and efficient implementation of the EUDR. A public consultation for the Delegated Act, which will further clarify the scope of EUDR, is currently open, addressing stakeholder requests for guidance on specific product categories.