The Amended EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR): What Businesses Need to Know Before 30 December 2026

In this video, Kerry Stares, Partner and Director of Responsible Business at Charles Russell Speechlys, provides an in-depth overview of the amended EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and its implications for businesses trading in or exporting from the EU market. This instalment forms part of a wider supply chain series on risk-based human rights due diligence.

What This Video Covers

• The scope of the EUDR, including the seven regulated commodities (cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya and wood) and the products derived from them, such as chocolate, stationery and inner tubes
• The three core conditions that must be satisfied before relevant commodities and products can be placed on, made available in, or exported from the EU market: deforestation-free status, legal compliance in the country of production, and due diligence documentation
• The distinct compliance obligations for operators, downstream operators, micro and small primary operators, and traders, and why correct role classification is essential
• The due diligence process required of operators, including risk assessment, information collection and submission of due diligence statements, together with the simplified pathway available for low-risk countries
• The one-time simplified declaration route available to micro and small primary operators
• The more limited information-holding and registration obligations applicable to downstream operators and traders
• The enforcement landscape, including unannounced risk-based checks by Competent Authorities, interim measures such as seizure or suspension, and fines of up to at least 4% of total annual EU-wide turnover
• Practical next steps for businesses to prepare ahead of the revised implementation dates of 30 December 2026 (general application) and 30 June 2027 (micro and small operators)

Key Takeaways

Companies placing, making available, or exporting regulated commodities and products in connection with the EU market should watch this video to understand:

• How the amended EUDR affects obligations to build deforestation-free supply chains and meet wider supply chain due diligence requirements
• What evidence, due diligence statements and systems will be needed to demonstrate EUDR compliance and support broader ESG compliance efforts
• How to align EUDR readiness with other sustainability regulation and human rights due diligence obligations, including the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, the EU Batteries Regulation, the EU Forced Labour Regulation and the UK Modern Slavery Act statutory guidance
• Why early preparation is essential, given the approaching enforcement dates and significant penalties at stake, to avoid business continuity risk and to build supply chain systems that address root causes rather than compliance in isolation