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The European Commission has confirmed that it will not reopen the core text of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which is set to enter into force in December 2026 following a recent delay.

Instead, the Commission will focus on targeted adjustments to simplify implementation and refine the list of products covered by the regulation, reports Euractiv in a article about a closed-door meeting, where EU officials reassured stakeholders that the EUDR’s foundational framework would remain unchanged. However, they also confirmed that a simplification package is expected by the end of April, including a delegated act to amend the annex specifying which products fall under the rules. Among the potential additions are palm oil soap and instant coffee, products not currently covered by the regulation.

The Commission also clarified that the benchmarking system, which classifies countries by deforestation risk, will not be updated this year. Originally planned to align with the latest FAO forest data, the review has been postponed until the regulation takes effect. Meanwhile, the possible exclusion of leather remains unresolved and would require a political decision.

Further technical updates are planned, including a revised implementing act on the IT system to accommodate the simplified regime for small farmers and foresters, agreed last December. Additional guidance will address e-commerce operations, re-imports, and the due-diligence obligations of downstream operators and traders.