Brussels - The European Commission has released important updates to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), providing new guidelines and clarifications ahead of its enforcement on December 30, 2025. The regulation aims to ensure that products placed on the EU market — including wood, timber, and wood-based furniture — are free from deforestation and sourced legally.
The clock is ticking for businesses to ensure they are compliant with EUDR
Key Changes Impacting Wood and Timber Exporters
The latest guidance focuses on simplifying compliance procedures for wood exporters and clarifying due diligence obligations. Notable updates include:
Due Diligence Statements
Large companies are now allowed to submit annual due diligence statements instead of filing one for every shipment. This adjustment reduces paperwork while maintaining traceability requirements.
Country Risk Classification
By June 2025, the EU will publish a list categorizing countries as low, standard, or high risk for deforestation. Wood imported from high-risk areas will require stricter due diligence checks, including precise geolocation data for the origin of the harvested timber.
Clarification for Composite Wood Products
For furniture and products made from multiple wood species, companies must ensure due diligence is conducted on each species and verify that all raw materials used are deforestation-free and legally sourced.
Compliance Deadlines
Large Companies
Must comply by December 30, 2025
Micro and Small Enterprises
Granted a grace period until June 30, 2026
This phased rollout is designed to ease the transition for smaller manufacturers and exporters, many of whom rely on timber as a core raw material.
Why It Matters for Wood Industries
The EU remains a crucial market, compliance with EUDR will be critical for maintaining market access and competitiveness. For many wood industries, especially in South East Asia, compliance with EUDR is a must have.
Industry leaders and associations, have called on exporters to accelerate the shift towards certified, traceable, and deforestation-free timber sourcing. Demand for wood with recognized certifications like FSC or PEFC is expected to surge as EUDR enforcement approaches.
The updated EUDR guidelines provide much-needed clarity for wood exporters navigating new regulatory landscapes. As sustainable sourcing becomes a global requirement, exporters are urged to review their supply chains, secure certified timber, and prepare due diligence systems ahead of the December 2025 deadline.
EUcomm:
The clock is ticking for businesses to ensure they are compliant with EUDR
Key Changes Impacting Wood and Timber Exporters
The latest guidance focuses on simplifying compliance procedures for wood exporters and clarifying due diligence obligations. Notable updates include:
Due Diligence Statements
Large companies are now allowed to submit annual due diligence statements instead of filing one for every shipment. This adjustment reduces paperwork while maintaining traceability requirements.
Country Risk Classification
By June 2025, the EU will publish a list categorizing countries as low, standard, or high risk for deforestation. Wood imported from high-risk areas will require stricter due diligence checks, including precise geolocation data for the origin of the harvested timber.
Clarification for Composite Wood Products
For furniture and products made from multiple wood species, companies must ensure due diligence is conducted on each species and verify that all raw materials used are deforestation-free and legally sourced.
Compliance Deadlines
Large Companies
Must comply by December 30, 2025
Micro and Small Enterprises
Granted a grace period until June 30, 2026
This phased rollout is designed to ease the transition for smaller manufacturers and exporters, many of whom rely on timber as a core raw material.
Why It Matters for Wood Industries
The EU remains a crucial market, compliance with EUDR will be critical for maintaining market access and competitiveness. For many wood industries, especially in South East Asia, compliance with EUDR is a must have.
Industry leaders and associations, have called on exporters to accelerate the shift towards certified, traceable, and deforestation-free timber sourcing. Demand for wood with recognized certifications like FSC or PEFC is expected to surge as EUDR enforcement approaches.
The updated EUDR guidelines provide much-needed clarity for wood exporters navigating new regulatory landscapes. As sustainable sourcing becomes a global requirement, exporters are urged to review their supply chains, secure certified timber, and prepare due diligence systems ahead of the December 2025 deadline.
EUcomm: