On 13 July 2026, the European Commission adopted a Delegated Regulation amending Annex I of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) to clarify the product scope, adding certain deforestation-risk products while removing low-risk items. The changes affect operators, traders, and competent authorities placing or exporting relevant commodities on the EU market.
The regulation, published as C(2026)4920, removes from scope hides, skins, and leather of cattle (HS codes 4101, 4104, 4107), vulcanised rubber articles and transmission belts (HS 4010, 4016), soya beans for sowing, and aircraft and motor vehicle seats (HS 9401 streamlined to wood-only codes). It adds frozen cattle tongues (HS 0206 21 00), soluble coffee (HS 2101 11 00), and an additional palm oil derivative (HS 2916 15) for oleochemicals consistency. Clarifications exclude products made from bamboo, rattan, or other woody materials (e.g., reeds), as well as palm oil derivatives used in medicinal products (human/veterinary) or as waste feedstock for biofuels.
New product categories will apply from 30 December 2027, providing a transition period for operators. A general review of the scope, including leather, is foreseen in 2030 under Article 34(2) of the EUDR.
Stakeholder impact The changes create trade-offs for different groups. EU importers of leather and rubber products benefit from reduced compliance costs, as these items are no longer subject to due diligence requirements. Conversely, importers of frozen cattle tongues and soluble coffee face new obligations, including traceability and risk assessment, increasing administrative burden. EU producers of palm oil derivatives for medicinal or biofuel uses gain clarity and exemption, reducing legal uncertainty. Environmental NGOs may view the removal of leather as a loophole, given cattle farming's link to deforestation, while welcoming the inclusion of coffee and cattle tongues. Competent authorities in member states must update their enforcement lists and prepare for the deferred implementation date.
Institutional follow-up The Delegated Regulation will be scrutinised by the European Parliament and the Council, which have two months to object. If no objection is raised, it will enter into force. The Commission has indicated that the 2030 review will assess whether further adjustments to the product scope are needed, potentially addressing remaining deforestation risks.