As the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) moves toward its revised implementation date of December 30, 2026, industry associations are offering differing perspectives on whether further changes to the regulation are likely. Recent industry discussions highlight both the evolving regulatory landscape and the strategic decisions companies now face.
While interpretations vary, one message is increasingly consistent: companies should be preparing for compliance as written, even amid ongoing policy debate.
In 2025, the European Commission introduced amendments to address concerns raised by member states and industry stakeholders. Key changes include:
The Commission is expected to conduct a formal “simplification review” by April 30, 2026, potentially accompanied by a legislative proposal “where appropriate.”
Despite these changes, significant structural components of the regulation, including geolocation requirements and due diligence documentation, remain intact.
As implementation approaches, industry associations are offering notably different assessments of whether the EUDR will undergo additional amendments.
Industry representatives remain cautious and focused on implementation. They suggest there is little likelihood that the European Commission will reopen the regulation for major changes. They also believe there is little political pressure for further revisions, as many of the main concerns raised by EU member states were addressed in the 2025 changes.
Instead of reopening the regulation, the Commission is expected to:
Industry association guidance is clear: continue preparing for full implementation as written by the end of 2026.
Other industry associations, on the other hand, have expressed greater optimism that additional amendments could be introduced. Their perspective is partly based on the view that simplifications adopted thus far primarily benefit EU suppliers, and that this imbalance could provide justification for further adjustments to support US exporters.
Despite their optimism, association representatives acknowledged several broader realities shaping the regulatory environment:
As EUDR implementation moves closer, the practical challenge for operators is not simply understanding the regulation—it is operationalizing it. Managing geolocation data, supplier documentation, risk assessments, DDS submissions, and audit readiness across complex supply chains requires structured, defensible systems.
Purpose-built supply chain transparency platforms can help companies:
Solutions such as Forest Trackt, ResourceWise’s EUDR compliance platform, are designed specifically to support forest product supply chains navigating these new requirements. By digitizing and organizing traceability data in one secure environment, companies can reduce compliance risk while improving supply chain visibility.
Regardless of whether further amendments emerge, the long-term trajectory toward transparency is unlikely to reverse. Companies that invest early in data-driven compliance infrastructure may be better positioned not only for EUDR, but for the next wave of global due diligence regulations.
While industry associations differ on the likelihood of additional amendments, there is broad agreement on one point: EUDR is reshaping expectations around supply chain transparency. With implementation scheduled for December 2026, organizations must weigh the risks of waiting against the operational advantages of preparing now.
In a regulatory environment where data is central to market access, preparation increasingly means building systems that can demonstrate compliance—not just describe it.
To learn more about what you should look for in an EUDR compliance solution, download our essential compliance solution guide.