The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
27 May 2025
The European Union’s Deforestation Regulations (EUDR) will come into force at ports and entry points across the EU in 2025 for commodities derived from wood, palm oil, rubber, soy, cattle, cocoa and coffee.
Update: 27 May 2025
EU Deforestation Rules Confirm UK as Low-Risk – What It Means for UK Forestry and Timber Trade
As of 22 May 2025, the European Commission has confirmed the UK’s designation as a low-risk country under its new Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR), which comes into effect on 30 December 2025 for large and medium-sized operators and traders. This regulation introduces strict due diligence requirements for companies importing key commodities—such as timber, coffee, and soy—into the EU. However, for countries deemed low risk, including the UK, businesses will benefit from reduced compliance checks and simplified due diligence, providing a clear competitive edge in trade with EU markets.
The classification system is built on scientific, internationally recognised data and is designed to identify where deforestation risks are lowest and highest. Countries like the UK, now formally listed in the EU’s low-risk annex, will only be subject to 1% annual compliance checks. This is a significant reduction compared to up to 9% for high-risk countries. The system not only reduces the administrative burden for UK exporters but also signals strong alignment between UK forest governance and EU sustainability standards—encouraging further collaboration and stability in timber and agricultural trade.
See the news release from the EU Commission.
EUDR Simplifications Announced – What It Means for UK Timber Businesses
In April 2025, the European Commission introduced a package of simplifications to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), aimed at easing the compliance burden for businesses while maintaining the regulation’s environmental objectives. For UK timber producers exporting to the EU, key changes include the ability to submit due diligence statements (DDS) annually rather than for each consignment, the reuse of DDS for re-imports of the same product, and the option to appoint a representative to submit DDS on behalf of a company group. These adjustments are designed to reduce red tape, especially for larger operators dealing with repeated or high-volume trade.
Crucially for the UK sector, the updated guidance also clarifies the scope of the EUDR, excluding items like packaging materials, test samples, and waste from its requirements. With the UK confirmed as a low-risk country under the EU’s benchmarking system, these simplifications further strengthen the position of UK timber businesses by reducing costs and compliance complexity. The EUDR will apply from 30 December 2025 for large companies and from 30 June 2026 for small and micro-enterprises, giving UK exporters time to adapt and take advantage of the streamlined procedures.