A coalition of 19 European associations from the wood, pulp, feed, energy, and related sectors is calling on the European Commission to halt the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), warning of unworkable compliance deadlines and unresolved legal uncertainties tied to the 30 December 2025 enforcement date, according to the European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry (EOS).
The signatories state that the newly revised regulation, still pending final approval, leaves little time for companies to adapt. Downstream operators, especially those relying on IT systems connected to the TRACES platform, face significant technical and operational burdens. Although small and micro-enterprises are officially granted a 12-month extension, the integration of these firms in supply chains with larger operators effectively requires all parties to comply simultaneously.
The group highlights that different enforcement dates across company sizes are unfeasible, since small firms must align immediately to avoid disrupting business relations. The current legal uncertainty, they argue, undermines the fundamental right to clarity under EU law and damages competitiveness and investment.
The open statement urges the Commission to implement a "stop-the-clock" mechanism to allow more time for assessing the regulation’s practical impact and simplifying its obligations, while reaffirming support for the EUDR’s environmental objective of halting deforestation.
