The EU has confirmed it will not delay its landmark anti-deforestation law, instead introducing a short six-month grace period before enforcement – reaffirming that EUDR compliance is rapidly approaching.
The European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is more than another compliance requirement. It’s a defining test of how effectively companies can connect sustainability ambition with operational and legal readiness.
Recent EUDR updates from the European Commission – including revised implementation timelines and transitional reliefs – may appear to ease immediate pressures, but they don’t change the strategic reality.
For senior sustainability leaders, this moment demands more than technical awareness. It requires mobilising the C-suite and board to understand the profound implications of EUDR on legal exposure, market access, and nature-related risk across global value chains.
The direction of travel is clear: every business that places forest-linked commodities or their derivatives on the EU market will soon need verifiable proof that their products are deforestation-free and legally produced. And the window for preparation is narrowing. Building the systems, supplier relationships, and governance frameworks required for traceable, compliant supply chains takes time, and leadership.
Leadership that translates between regulatory change and enterprise strategy: grasping both compliance risk and the opportunity to lead in resilient, deforestation-free sourcing. Below is a clear breakdown of who must act, what must be done, and when it must happen – shaping a framework for no-regrets actions to shape your EUDR Compliance Roadmap.
The EUDR is not simply about compliance – it’s about transforming how we understand and value nature within global supply chains. Companies that act now are not just meeting regulation; they’re redefining what responsible growth looks like in a nature-positive economy.
Betsy Hickman, Global Lead for Nature, Anthesis Group
Why this matters – and why now
The EUDR represents a major regulatory shift: it mandates that a broad suite of commodities and derived products placed on the EU market – including those your business might source, sell or manufacture – must be proven deforestation-free (i.e., not produced on land deforested after 31 December 2020) and legally produced in origin countries.
Why this matters
Legal/compliance risk – failure to comply can lead to blocked access to the EU market, penalties, and reputational damage.
Supply-chain risk – many agricultural and forest-linked commodities are embedded in global value chains; if you source cattle, cocoa, coffee, soy, palm oil, rubber, timber, or derivatives you must ask: “Could my product be traced to deforested land or illegal production?”
Strategic opportunity – companies that get ahead of this can build differentiated credentials on sustainable sourcing, strong traceability, and resilience. Waiting is not an option.
EUDR compliance will test the maturity of corporate traceability systems. The winners will be those who see this as an opportunity to create end-to-end visibility, not as a box-ticking exercise. The data you collect today will define your resilience tomorrow.
Tim Mollenhauer, Senior Consultant and Northern Europe EUDR Expert, Anthesis Group
Crucially, the proposed delay applies only to small and micro operators, not to larger companies. Under the updated timeline:
Primary operators (medium and large companies)
They will maintain the obligation to submit due diligence declarations when placing products on the EU market.
The regulation will enter into force on 30 December 2025, with a six-month grace period without checks or penalties, allowing for a gradual transition.
Primary operators that are micro or small enterprises from low-risk countries
They will only need to submit a single, simplified declaration in the EUDR IT system.
Implementation is postponed until 30 December 2026 (compared with the originally planned 30 June 2026).
Traders or downstream operators (of any size)
They will no longer be required to submit due diligence declarations.
They will only need to collect the declaration code provided by their supplier and transmit it to their client.
These changes aim to make the process more agile and efficient, while ensuring the traceability and transparency needed to achieve the EUDR’s core objective: eliminating deforestation associated with products placed on the EU market.
The proposal still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and the Council before entering into force, and debate and adoption are expected before the end of the year.
The transition period offers breathing space, but not a pause. Now is the time to strengthen partnerships with suppliers, align internal teams, and pilot systems – so that when enforcement begins, your business is ready to lead, not react.
Victor Fabrega, Manager and Southern Europe EUDR Expert, Anthesis Group
Shape your EUDR compliance roadmap
Many companies may be tempted to wait for all the pieces (country risk classification, industry guidance, the IT registry) to fall into place. Avoid that trap:
Core obligations are already in effect (the law is in force). Delay is only in application date. Supplier engagement, audits, and tracing must commence now.
Supply-chain complexity is real: gathering geo-coordinates, verifying land-use histories, aligning downstream products will take months (or years). The closer you are to the deadline, the higher the cost and disruption.
Early movers will benefit: companies that shape their sourcing now will build resilience, avoid being squeezed by last-minute compliance, and set the standard for future-fit procurement.
Eight no-regrets actions to prepare
This regulation will reshape how global supply chains operate. As a leader, you can either respond reactively and scramble for compliance – or lead proactively, reshape your supply chain for resilience and sustainability, and gain a competitive edge.
Mobilise now and act at speed. The deadlines (30 December 2025 for large/medium companies; 30 June 2026 for micro/small enterprises) are fast approaching. Build internal alignment and resource plans immediately.
Own it from the top. Treat deforestation-free compliance as a strategic business imperative – not a niche sustainability task. Assign executive sponsorship and embed accountability across procurement, legal, and ESG teams.
Consolidate traceability data. Map and maintain an up-to-date database of the geographic origin of all relevant raw materials and products, capturing geolocation and supplier information to meet EUDR due diligence requirements.
Assess and prioritise deforestation risk. Conduct spatial and supply-chain risk assessments to identify high-risk sourcing areas, using verified data sources and geospatial tools to guide supplier engagement and monitoring.
Strengthen supplier collaboration. Work directly with suppliers – especially smallholders and high-risk producers – to improve the quality, accuracy, and accessibility of traceability and legality data.
Review and adapt due diligence systems. Ensure systems can flex with evolving EUDR requirements, differentiate by country risk classification, and integrate seamlessly with IT reporting and audit mechanisms.
Integrate into core strategy. Embed traceability, deforestation risk management, and supplier engagement into corporate sustainability, ESG, and responsible sourcing strategies – linking progress to executive KPIs.
Use the transition wisely. The EU’s proposed relief periods and phased implementation offer time to prepare – use this runway to pilot systems, close data gaps, and strengthen supplier readiness rather than delay action.
In navigating the complexities of EUDR and translating this roadmap into tangible EUDR compliance actions, you don’t have to go it alone. Anthesis experts stand ready to guide you – from mapping exposures and building traceability systems to strengthening supplier engagement and embedding deforestation-risk management into your business strategy.
Whether your company is just beginning to assess exposure or advancing toward full traceability, Anthesis can help you navigate the next steps with clarity and confidence. As recognized delivery partners of the Accountability Framework initiative, Anthesis brings global best practice, technical expertise, and industry-specific support tailored to your business challenges and priorities.
Contact us
Our Nature experts work with global leaders to translate regulation into action and ambition into advantage. Start the conversation with us to shape your deforestation-free roadmap and turn compliance into a catalyst for lasting sustainability leadership.
